Two derby block­busters in the West group – two Christmas high­lights in Carinthia

League leaders 1. EHC Althofen face USC Pirates Velden for the second time this season, one day before Christmas Eve. The Rhinos narrowly won the first meeting in November, 2:1. That game triggered a brief losing streak for the Pirates from the western shore of Lake Wörthersee, who lost three matches in a row in November. Most recently, Head Coach Herwig Gressel’s team had returned to winning ways and, with three victories, created an excellent starting position in the battle to reach the Ö Eishockey Liga’s inter-regional play-offs. Althofen have enjoyed a strong season so far, with seven wins against just two defeats. Head Coach Gerald Ressmann’s team won five games – two of them in overtime – by a margin of just one goal.

Steindorf host UECR Eisbären Huben

The ESC SoccerZone Steindorf, considered among the title favourites, host UECR Eisbären Huben on Friday. Steindorf have played only six matches in the South group so far, but have climbed to second place behind Althofen with four wins after 60 minutes. In terms of points dropped, Head Coach Robert Moser’s team are actually ahead, but they first have to win their games in hand. The first meeting in November, in front of a wonderful open-air crowd of 800 fans in Huben, went Steindorf’s way after an emotional encounter, as they prevailed 5:3.

Robert Moser, Head Coach ESC SoccerZone Steindorf: "We need to make sure we take the lead quickly against the hard-fighting Huben side, so that they have to play more offensively. Despite their position in the table, we will not underestimate Huben!"

Silvio Trojer, Head Coach UECR Eisbären Huben: "We are looking forward to the game against favourites Steindorf and will do everything we can to pick up points in Steindorf as well. It certainly will not be easy. In addition to the key players who are out with long-term injuries, we now also have absences due to illness. As in the recent games, we will again supplement the squad with U18 and U20 players. The relative inexperience of the young players certainly does not give us an advantage, but on the other hand, the young players can continue to develop and put themselves forward for further appearances. We certainly had problems at the start of the absences among our key players, but recently it has worked quite well and things are moving in the right direction. I should also mention here that the team works really hard in training, even when things are not going so well. With a bit of luck and the right course of the game, it is also possible to pick up a point in Steindorf. In any case, we will be ready for this task."

West group: VEU vs. SC Hohenems derby

In the West group, action continues on St Stephen’s Day with the highly exciting Vorarlberg derby, VEU Feldkirch versus SC SAMINA Hohenems. It is already the third meeting this season, with league newcomers VEU Feldkirch having won both previous encounters. Head Coach Thomas Sticha’s team have established themselves in third place through consistently good performances and are firmly on course for the play-offs. The Steinböcke from Hohenems are the closest challengers to leaders HC Kufstein. Most recently, Head Coach Bernd Schmidle’s team narrowly beat the Dragons 3:2 and head into the Ländle derby highly motivated. After the two defeats, Hohenems still have a score to settle with the Montfort city side.

Thomas Sticha, Head Coach VEU Feldkirch:"We are naturally looking forward to the Boxing Day game against title contenders Hohenems. Since their last defeat, they have put together another impressive run of four consecutive wins. Hohenems have a strong collective and good individual players. That is why they are title contenders, and they also won away to the league leaders in their last game. Those are the challenges that naturally motivate us to trip up the visitors from Hohenems and perhaps pick up points again. We have enjoyed a very good season so far with a young team. At the moment, however, illnesses, injuries, suspensions and so on are making it difficult for us to find our way into games. We are picking up points, but we are finding things quite difficult over the course of games. That is precisely why the boys will certainly be particularly motivated for this game against Hohenems. We will try to play a simple, no-frills game and pick up points through hard work, determination and cleverness. The team knows that it will not be easy, but we have already shown that it is possible. There will certainly be a great atmosphere in the stadium. This will be another step in the players' development, and they should enjoy this derby."

Pascal Kainz, captain of SC SAMINA Hohenems:"Against VEU, we have to make sure we stay out of the penalty box and make better use of our chances than in the previous encounters, while otherwise performing as much of a unit as we did recently in Kufstein!"

HC Innsbruck II face Wattens Penguins

The second Boxing Day clash in the West group is HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie II against WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins. The young Sharks are battling hard for their first win of the season, with Head Coach Werner Strele's team having suffered eleven defeats so far. They came close to earning their first points last weekend, but VEU Feldkirch dashed Innsbruck's hopes of finally getting on the board with the 1:0 game-winning goal shortly before the end. As defending champions, the Penguins from Wattens are struggling in the current campaign, with three wins offset by seven defeats – one of them following a penalty shoot-out against VEU Feldkirch.

District derby: EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. HC Kufstein

Ice hockey derbies during the Christmas period are always something special, and it is even better when district supremacy is at stake. EHC Crocodiles Kundl host HC Kufstein at Eisarena Kundl on the Tuesday after Christmas. It is a heated clash, especially when considering their last meeting. Kufstein won the derby on 18 November in front of a record crowd of 1.018 fans by 12:1. That defeat still weighs heavily on the Crocodiles, who now have the chance to gain revenge on home ice. Speaking of home ice: the Kundl players fondly remember 25 October. On that occasion, Head Coach Mika Pertillä's team edged an extremely exciting game 5:4 in a penalty shoot-out.

Gerhard Maier, chairman of EHC Crocodiles Kundl:"We have already proved in the regular season that Kufstein are not invincible by beating them. We want to make amends in front of our own fans for the painful 1:12 away defeat and win at home!"

Ivo Novotny, Head Coach of HC Kufstein:"I am very satisfied with how the season has gone so far. The defeat against Hohenems still hurts a little, as it really could have been avoided. Now the players can switch off for a few days and enjoy time with their families. Tuesday's derby is a very important game for us. I am very optimistic that we will produce another good performance and take points away from Kundl. We absolutely have to keep going now and carry the momentum from the first half of the season with us."

South group matchday

ESC SoccerZone Steindorf vs. UECR Eisbären Huben
Fri., 23 December 2022, 19:15, Ossiacher See Halle

1. EHC Althofen vs. USC Pirates Velden
Fri., 23 December 2022, 19:30, Stadthalle Althofen

UECR Eisbären Huben vs. EC iDM VSV
Mon, 26 December 2022, 18:00, Eisstadion Huben

West Group matchday

HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie II vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins
Mon, 26 December 2022, 19:00, TIWAG Arena

VEU Feldkirch vs. SC SAMINA Hohenems
Mon, 26 December 2022, 19:30, Vorarlberghalle

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. HC Kufstein
Tue, 27 December 2022, 19:30, Eisarena Kundl

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