VEU Feld­kirch can secure a playoff spot against Wattens Penguins

VEU FeldkirchVEU Feldkirch can secure their playoff place with a win in Saturday's match against WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins - whether after 60 minutes or in overtime. The Vorarlberg league newcomers have won both previous meetings this season. Wattens narrowly lost the crucial match against Kundl last time out and are fighting for their final chance of reaching the playoffs.

Thomas Sticha, Head Coach VEU Feldkirch: "An intense week lies ahead of us. We have four games to get through in eight days. Wattens are still in the playoff race and fighting for their final chance to qualify. They have a compact team with plenty of experience and know how to handle such a situation. For that reason, we certainly will not underestimate Wattens. We will try to force Wattens into mistakes with our speed and aggressive man-to-man play, and then capitalise on them. We need to get quality shots away to test the goaltender and create rebounds. In the defensive zone, we need to play consistently and allow as few chances as possible. It will not be easy, but the boys are used to that by now. We are looking forward to this game and, of course, want to pick up points to take another step towards the playoffs."

Jaroslav Betka, Head Coach WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins: "We are travelling to Feldkirch and, as in every other game, will give our best. The situation is clear. We have to beat Feldkirch away twice, then Hohenems at home, and then hope for help from Kufstein in their final home game against VEU. Hope dies last. I am happy with my team; if we do not make it, I wish the other clubs every success!"

EHC Crocodiles Kundl challenge SC Hohenems

EHC Crocodiles KundlEHC Crocodiles Kundl have gained confidence with three consecutive wins ahead of the clash with SC Samina Hohenems 1974 and want to bid farewell to their own fans with a strong performance. The Vorarlberg side are battling HC Kufstein remotely for top spot in the West Group. The Steinböcke were the first team this season to score 100 goals, and the Vorarlberg goal machine will also be difficult for the Crocodiles to contain.

Gerhard Maier, Chairman of EHC Crocodiles Kundl: "In our final home game in front of our own supporters, we want to put in another decent performance and perhaps cause an upset. Three consecutive wins recently have given us a little more confidence again, despite some absences!"

Michael Unterberger, Assistant Coach and Sporting Director of SC Samina Hohenems 1974: "Kundl have won their last three games in a row. That shows that, despite missing out on the playoffs, the Crocos want to finish the regular season with their heads held high. We therefore expect an exciting and hard-fought game in which we will give 100 per cent - it will also be very good preparation for us with the playoffs in mind. We will travel to Kundl with the strongest possible line-up. A few minor knocks towards the end of the regular season are completely normal after the demanding weeks, but the boys are fit and doing a great job."

HC Innsbruck II face HC Kufstein

As early as Thursday, HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie II the second-placed HC Kufstein. The Junghaie are still searching for their first win of the season, with 17 defeats from 17 games on the record. Nevertheless, the Innsbruck side battle in every match, while the Dragons are in a long-distance duel with SC Hohenems for top spot in the group. The team coached by Ivo Novotny has firmly set its sights on three points at the TIWAG Arena.

ATSE Graz need points against Murtal Lions

In the North-East group, ATSE Graz take on EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions for important points in the battle to qualify for the playoffs. The Eggenberg side are currently level on points with WEV in fourth place, but have played one game fewer than the Vienna side. Having qualified for the playoffs, the Murtal Lions can play with freedom and get themselves into playoff shape.

Rupert Strohmeier, player-coach, ATSE Graz: "We are currently right in the middle of the battle for third place. A win against EVZ would open the door to the playoffs wide for us, so we will do everything we can to get the three points. But to do that, we need to switch into playoff mode from now on. We are still dealing with the problem of inconsistent performances. If we can get that under control and deliver our maximum performance next week, we will reach the playoffs."

Christian Mayerl, chairman, EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions: "We are really proud to have secured a playoff place two rounds before the end of the regular season, despite having had a game recorded as a forfeit. That is why we are approaching the final two games relatively relaxed and will see what happens. The initial pressure is off; we have achieved our goal! Nevertheless, we will play the two games in Graz with focus. ATSE still need the points to make the post-season, so that is how they will approach it. The Lions want to bring their strengths back onto the ice, which also produced a decent result against Vienna. The pressure is on the others now, no longer on us, and that is nice."

Kapfenberger SV await Sharks Gmunden

North-East group winners Kapfenberger SV host UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden on Saturday. The Kangaroos have won all 13 of their games – two of them in overtime – and are brimming with confidence ahead of the playoffs.

And the fact that, according to player-coach Kris Reinthaler, the players are stepping things up even further in training after the successes of recent weeks almost sounds like a dangerous threat to the other clubs. Who is going to stop the Mürztal side? The Sharks Gmunden are certainly promising a fight.

Kris Reinthaler, player-coach, Kapfenberger SV: "You can feel that we are entering the decisive phase of the season. The players are highly motivated, and attendance is getting better and better from week to week and from training session to training session. I am sure that will carry over into this weekend's match and that we will take control of the game!"

Thomas Schatzl, chairman, UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden: "As the team at the bottom of the table against the league leaders, Kapfenberg are clearly favourites. Nevertheless, we will try everything to cause an upset!"

Steindorf aim to defend top spot against Huben

The playoff places in the South Group have been decided. The only remaining source of tension before the postseason begins is the question of who will win the regular-season group. ESC SoccerZone Steindorf want to lay the foundations for first place in the South on Saturday against UECR Eisbären Huben.

Steindorf defeated 1st-placed EHC Althofen 3:2 in overtime in their head-to-head meeting last Saturday, and there will be a long-distance battle for top spot over the final two rounds. The Eisbären lost the first two meetings against the players from Lake Ossiach, and the East Tyroleans will be particularly keen to make amends for the 2:9 defeat the day before Christmas.

Robert Moser, Head Coach ESC SoccerZone Steindorf: "Despite several absences, our very large squad means we can draw on three lines. To stay in first place under our own steam, we have to beat Huben on Saturday and Velden a week later. We now have to win both home games."

Velden want points against Althofen

The USC Pirates Velden face 1st-placed EHC Althofen for the third and final time in the regular season on Saturday.

The Rhinos are battling Steindorf for the group win and, after two narrow victories in their previous meetings with the Pirates, are slight favourites. Velden want to get on the scoresheet against Head Coach Gerald Ressmann's team, but have had to field a short line-up in recent weeks due to a run of injuries.

Herwig Gressel, Head Coach USC Pirates Velden: "Our squad has become smaller and smaller in recent weeks due to injuries. We will probably only be able to field two lines against Althofen. Nevertheless, we are optimistic, as both previous clashes with the Rhinos were extremely close. It will be important not to fall behind early."

VSV face Spittal

The Young Eagles of EC iDM VSV face EC LiWoDruck Spittal on Saturday. Both teams have won one match in their direct seasonal series so far: the blue-and-whites from Villach surprised the Hornets with an away 6:3 victory in the opening game in October, before Spittal gained revenge with a clear 8:3 win at the Ossiacher See Halle in Steindorf in mid-November.

Florian Orzetek, Head Coach of EC LiWoDruck Spittal: "It certainly will not be an easy game against the Jungadler. We again have a few players carrying knocks that need to heal. The wins in the recent games have certainly given us momentum and we want to continue the run." 

Matchday, West Group

HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie II vs. HC Kufstein
Thu, 26 January 2023, 19:00, TIWAG Arena

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. SC Samina Hohenems 1974
Fri, 27 January 2023, 19:30, Eisarena Kundl

VEU Feldkirch vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins
Sat, 28 January 2023, 19:30, Vorarlberghalle

Matchday, North-East Group

Kapfenberger SV vs. UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden
Sat, 28 January 2023, 19:00, Stadthalle Kapfenberg

ATSE Graz vs. EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions
Sat, 28 January 2023, 19:30, Merkur Eisstadion, Hall B

Matchday, South Group

EC iDM VSV vs. EC LiWoDruck Spittal
Sat, 28 January 2023, 18:15, Ossiacher See Halle Steindorf

USC Pirates Velden vs. 1st EHC Althofen
Sat, 28 January 2023, 18:30, Eishalle Velden

ESC SoccerZone Steindorf vs. UECR Eisbären Huben
Sat, 28 January 2023, 19:30, Ossiacher See Halle Steindorf

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