Vorarl­berg and Tyrol derby high­lights over the holiday weekend – Gmunden take on ATSE

SC Samina Hohenems vs. EHC Kundl
Fri., 05 December 2025, 19:00, Eisstadion Hohenems

For the second time this season, in the West Division on Friday, SC Samina Hohenems and EHC Kundl will face each other. In their first meeting, the Steinböcke won 5:3 away from home at the end of October after an exciting match in which Kundl led twice. The decisive moment came only when Benjamin Kyllönen scored into the empty net 21 seconds before the final siren.

Hohenems and Lustenau are currently in a league of their own, with the two clubs from the Dornbirn district battling for top spot after the regular season. Meanwhile, Kundl are engaged in a long-distance district duel with Kufstein for third place.

Matthias Fritz, sporting director of SC Hohenems, appreciates his team's performance despite the many absences, while also warning against Kundl: "Despite our depleted situation, with five regular players missing – all of them forwards – the away win in Wattens was enormously important. Kundl found their scoring touch in Dornbirn and will be hungry for the next three points in Vorarlberg. We hope to get one or two players back into the line-up and are looking forward to our first home game in December. We will be ready to remain unbeaten at home!"

Stefan Rainer, chairman of EHC Kundl, is looking forward to the double-header over the extended weekend and knows how important points are at this stage: "Busy weeks are always cool because they bring teams even closer together and challenge everyone. We came back strongly as a team in our last game against the Bulldogs, especially in the final period, when we finally found our rhythm. We now want to bring that unity onto the ice away in Vorarlberg against Hohenems, no matter how strong the opposition are. The small derby against Wattens awaits us at home on Monday. Our focus is clearly on the playoffs, so only a win counts for us. Now it is about making a statement, showing intensity and leaving everything on the ice!"

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins vs. HC Kufstein
Fri., 05 December 2025, 19:30, Alpenstadion Wattens

Also for the second time this season, WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins and HC Kufstein will meet in the Lower Inn Valley derby on Friday.

The first clash, a rescheduled fixture, a few days ago was a thriller right to the end. The Penguins recovered from a 1:3 deficit, equalising seven minutes from time. However, the Dragons ultimately edged it through a power-play goal by Finnish new signing Aleksi Airaksinen two minutes before the end and an empty-net goal by German new signing Stefan Reiter one second from the final buzzer. While Kufstein are skating towards the playoffs in great strides, Wattens are finding the race for a playoff place increasingly difficult.

Wattens head coach Fabian Hechenberger is aware of the situation and promises an intense contest: "Kufstein are a direct rival in the fight for the playoffs and we all know how important this clash is. We will play in a structured manner and with high intensity from the first minute. All that counts are points!"

Kufstein sporting director Willi Lanz is optimistic ahead of the double-header against the Penguins and Dornbirn: "We put in 40 good minutes against Lustenau and were able to keep up with a very strong opponent for a long time. We need to build on that, and if we can deliver on it, I am very positive that we can pick up points away in Wattens and against Dornbirn this week as well. But that will certainly also depend on how well we can compensate for the absences of the injured players!"

EHC Lustenau vs. Dornbirner EC Bulldogs
Sat., 06 December 2025, 17:30, Rheinhalle Lustenau

League leaders EHC Lustenau welcome the Dornbirner EC Bulldogs to the Rheinhalle for a district derby in the Division West on Saturday. It is the second meeting between the two clubs in the current ÖEL season. The Lions won the first game at the Messestadion Dornbirn clearly by 9:2, following a hard-fought first period with a strong second and assured final period.

Veteran Thomas Auer will play his farewell game, with the forward having decided to end his active career due to ongoing pain in his upper body. While Division West leaders Lustenau have won all nine of their games so far, the Bulldogs have only been successful in their opening game against Wattens at the beginning of October. This was followed by eight consecutive defeats, while on Sunday Dornbirn went toe to toe with EHC Kundl for two periods before eventually suffering a 5:10 defeat.

Dornbirner EC Bulldogs vs. HC Kufstein
Mon., 08 December 2025, 15:00, Messestadion Dornbirn

The Dornbirner EC Bulldogs face HC Kufstein in an afternoon game at the Messestadion on the public holiday, following the derby against leaders Lustenau. In the first meeting, the Vorarlberg side suffered a 0:5 home defeat to the Dragons at the start of November. For the Tyroleans, who first play the Unterinntal derby against the Wattens Penguins, that away win was their first of the season after three consecutive defeats at the start of the campaign.

Kufstein sporting director Willi Lanz is optimistic ahead of the double-header against the Penguins and Dornbirn: "We put in 40 good minutes against Lustenau and were able to keep up with a very strong opponent for a long time. We need to build on that, and if we can deliver on it, I am very positive that we can pick up points away in Wattens and against Dornbirn this week as well. But that will certainly also depend on how well we can compensate for the absences of the injured players!"

SC Samina Hohenems vs. EHC Lustenau
Mon., 08 December 2025, 18:00, Eisstadion Hohenems

The big Vorarlberg derby, which is also a district derby, takes place in the Division West on the public holiday between SC Samina Hohenems and the EHC Lustenau at Eisstadion Hohenems. In the first head-to-head derby of the season at the end of October, the league's two dominant teams played out a thrilling contest.

The Lions led 2:0 for a long time before the Ibex struck twice in the final ten minutes to level at 2:2. After a scoreless overtime, the hosts at the Rheinhalle eventually prevailed 3:2 in front of almost 1.500 fans. Now comes the major outdoor ice hockey festival at Herrenried, with fans once again able to look forward to an exciting derby rematch.

Matthias Fritz, sporting director of SC Hohenems, is expecting an ice hockey festival in the derby: "A public holiday match against the previously unbeaten favourites from Lustenau is exactly the kind of challenge a team looks forward to. We expect an intense game and hope for a well-filled ice rink to support us. Lustenau have had an almost flawless run so far, but we want to end that very run. Despite a few absences, we have enough depth and will do everything we can to keep the points in Ems!"

Dániel Fekete, Head Coach of EHC Lustenau, promises an exciting derby: "SC Hohenems have a very strong team with some experienced players who can sometimes decide a game on their own. They have also strengthened their squad with Latvian Ricards Purins during the current season. But we too are aware of our strengths and travel to Hohenems with great confidence. It will certainly be a close game in which small details can make the difference between victory and defeat!"

EHC Kundl vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins
Mon, 08 December 2025, 19:00, Eisarena Kundl

The EHC Kundl face the WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins on Monday in the Division West to conclude the extended ice hockey weekend. The first match at the end of October was ultimately a clear 9:1 win for the hosts, although the contest was very close for two periods and still stood at 2:1 after 40 minutes. Kundl then really turned it on in the final period, scoring seven unanswered goals without conceding again.

Kundl chairman Stefan Rainer is demanding a win in the derby against the Penguins: "The small derby against Wattens awaits us at home on Monday. Our focus is clearly on the playoffs, so only a win counts for us. Now it is about making a statement, showing intensity and leaving everything on the ice!"

Wattens Head Coach Fabian Hechenberger knows that this weekend's double-header will be decisive in the battle for the playoffs: "Kundl are the next direct Play Off opponent awaiting us. Both teams are fighting for every point – and we urgently need these points. We have to find the right focus immediately, embrace every battle and show the necessary determination to come off the ice as winners in the end!"

Division East:

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. HDK Maribor
Sat, 06 December 2025, 19:00, WEV Arena, Heumarkt

The Wiener Eislauf-Verein welcome the HDK Maribor at the WEV Arena by Heumarkt. It is already the third meeting this season. The first game was awarded to WEV after Maribor had fielded a suspended player illegally. In the second match, the Viennese side edged a narrow 2:1 win at home. The winning goal, scored by Theodor Fichtinger, came just four and a half minutes before the final siren.

There is a great deal at stake for both teams in this head-to-head meeting. A win after 60 minutes would allow WEV to extend their lead over the Füchse to seven points in the table. Conversely, the Slovenian side know that a win in Vienna would put the team from the Drava right back in the race for a playoff place.

WEV head coach Philipp Ullrich wants his team to build on its strong performance against the Sharks when facing Maribor: "In the last game in Gmunden, my team showed its true colours for the first time this season. We were tenacious and disciplined throughout the game, and were able to challenge the champions away from home right until the end. I am convinced that my team now understands how we have to perform every weekend in order to bring ourselves and our fans plenty of joy. We can hardly wait for the game against Maribor!"

Maribor head coach Jure Verlič wants his side to secure its first away win: "We will do everything we can to get our first away victory. Despite the absence of several players, I am convinced that others will step up and help the team achieve a good result in Vienna, where it is always difficult to play!"

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. ATSE Graz
Mon., 08 December 2025, 18:30, muki Arena Gmunden

League leaders and defending champions UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden play at home in the Division East on the public holiday against ATSE Graz. There have already been two head-to-head meetings this season, with both games fiercely contested and highly exciting. In mid-October, the Sharks won 4:2 in Graz, with an empty-net goal by Alwin Schuster 12 seconds before the end sealing the narrow away victory.

The second game at Lake Traun was a thriller: ATSE led 1:0 for a long time, before the Sharks equalised with just 32 seconds remaining. Elias Koller then secured a 2:1 win for Gmunden in overtime, with the side having won all seven of its games so far. Graz currently have eleven points and are well on their way to reaching the playoffs. Last season, the Eggenberg side did not make the quarter-finals.

Gregor Baumgartner, head coach of the Sharks Gmunden, is expecting another close contest against Graz: "ATSE have shown themselves to be much improved this year, and the previous meetings have also been very exciting. We will try to carry the intensity from last weekend into this game, so nothing stands in the way of an exciting match!"

ATSE head coach Markus Losch recalls the last exciting meeting at Lake Traun and hopes for an upset: "The last game in Gmunden was very exciting right until the end. We will try to build on the performance from the last game and make it another good game. The Sharks are naturally always favourites in Gmunden, but we will give our best to really challenge Gmunden and perhaps we can pull off an upset this time!"

KSV Kängurus vs. UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden postponed

KSV Kängurus vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein postponed

According to a KSV statement, the refrigeration system at the Kapfenberg Stadthalle has been repaired. However, it will take two weeks before the ice is ready for play, meaning no operations will be possible until mid-December. As a result, the home games against the Gmunden Sharks (6.12.) and WEV (8.12.) have to be postponed, meaning that a total of four home games now need to be rescheduled. Two each against the Gmunden Sharks and WEV.

Two rescheduled games have now been confirmed. A home game against the Upper Austrians will now take place on 4 January 2026, and one against the Viennese on 23 January 2026.

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division West:

SC Samina Hohenems vs. EHC Kundl
Fri, 05 December 2025, 19:00, Eisstadion Hohenems - >> to the livestream

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins vs. HC Kufstein
Fri, 05 December 2025, 19:30, Alpenstadion Wattens - >> to the livestream

EHC Lustenau vs. Dornbirner EC Bulldogs
Sat, 06 December 2025, 17:30, Rheinhalle Lustenau - >> to the livestream

Dornbirner EC Bulldogs vs. HC Kufstein
Mon, 08 December 2025, 15:00, Messestadion Dornbirn - >> to the livestream

SC Samina Hohenems vs. EHC Lustenau
Mon, 08 December 2025, 18:00, Eisstadion Hohenems - >> to the livestream

EHC Kundl vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins
Mon, 08 December 2025, 19:00, Eisarena Kundl - >> to the livestream

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division EAST:

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. HDK Maribor
Sat, 06 December 2025, 19:00, WEV Arena, Heumarkt - >> to the livestream

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. ATSE Graz
Mon, 08 December 2025, 18:30, muki Arena Gmunden - >> to the livestream

Ö Eishockey Liga format 2025/2026

The Ö Eishockey Liga began the new season with its first matchday on 4 October 2025. In its fifth year, the format will change in Phase 1 in the two divisions: West, with six teams, and East, with five teams. In Division East, the coming season will feature a two-and-a-half-round home-and-away format, resulting in 20 games per team. In Division West, as in the previous season, two home-and-away rounds will be played, also resulting in 20 games per team.

After Phase 1, an interregional playoff will once again take place, starting with the quarter-finals on 07 February 2026. A Playoff Pick after the regular season will again provide additional excitement in the coming campaign. The highest-placed team in each of the West and East divisions may select its quarter-final opponent from the third- or fourth-placed team in the other division. From the quarter-finals through the semi-finals to the final, the playoff match-ups will be decided in best-of-three series (H/A/H) from the coming season onwards.

All Ö Eishockey Liga standings, statistics and schedules in the Gamecenter

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