WEV cele­brates home opener at Vienna’s Heumarkt against ATSE Graz

ÖEL games are shown on the Austrian Ice Hockey Federation’s new livestreaming platform at LIVE.eishockey.at.

In the West Group, leaders HC Kufstein Dragons face the junior Sharks of HC Innsbruck II. EHC Crocodiles Kundl are at home to SC SAMINA Hohenems as early as Friday.

The South Group features the headline clash between ESC SoccerZone Steindorf and USC Pirates Velden. League leaders 1. EHC Althofen host the junior Eagles of EC iDM VSV, while EC LiWoDruck Spittal face UECR Eisbären Huben.

The Ö Eishockey Liga currently offers great ice hockey action in all three groups and is winning over fans’ hearts. 1.399 fans watched the Vorarlberg derby between SC Hohenems and VEU Feldkirch, while 1.018 fans attended the Kufstein district derby between HC Kufstein and EHC Crocodiles Kundl. In Huben, 800 fans created a wonderful open-air atmosphere for the Eisbären’s home opener against ESC SoccerZone Steindorf.

WEV return to traditional home venue

The North-East Group will once again enjoy an atmospheric open-air setting this weekend, this time in the federal capital.

The WEV celebrate their home opener on Vienna ice at the legendary Heumarkt against ATSE Graz. It marks the start of a series of open-air home games over the coming weeks. In 1966, WEV moved from the Heumarkt to the Donauparkhalle. It could be described as a historic game: 56 years later, Vienna will finally host a league game once again at this traditional ice hockey venue, with the beautiful backdrop of the Wiener Konzerthaus.

The ice at this unique ice hockey arena is currently being prepared by the ice technicians of the Wiener Eislaufverein, with the final markings and lines being applied. However, the game against ATSE Graz is not only a celebration for Austrian ice hockey nostalgics; the direct clash is also about securing a good starting position for the play-off battle in the coming weeks.

Vienna most recently won away at the Graz Dukes, while ATSE lost to Zeltweg Murtal Lions. The Styrians had narrowly won the first meeting on home ice 4:3.

Mario Kubeczka, player-coach of Wiener Eislauf-Verein: “The first game against ATSE was evenly matched and full of emotion. As we are finally allowed to play a league game at the legendary Heumarkt again on Saturday after more than half a century, our expectations are naturally very high and we are determined to win this game. Nevertheless, we have to maintain our game consistently over the full 60 minutes in order to compete with ATSE. We are looking forward to a great atmosphere and hope for strong support from our fans!”

Dukes Graz challenge league leaders Kapfenberg

League newcomers UHT Dukes Graz host league leaders Kapfenberger SV.

The Kangaroos dominate the North-East Group, with the Mürztal side having left the ice as winners after 60 minutes in all six games so far. The Dukes have quickly established themselves in the Ö Eishockey Liga and are firmly in the race for a playoff spot. In their first meeting, Graz came away empty-handed in Kapfenberg in a 1:5 defeat, while the Dukes most recently lost their home game against WEV 2:5.

Kris Reinthaler, player-coach of Kapfenberger SV: "We want to pick up three points against the Dukes in Frohnleiten, but we have been warned. We are currently on a great winning run, but we struggled with our finishing in the last game. We want to improve that again and become more clinical in front of goal. We may also make a few changes to the lines, partly to see how the players work together. We have the potential to get much more out of it. Once again, we will go into the game with our best possible line-up and deliver our best game!"

Murtal Lions take on Sharks Gmunden

The EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions have established themselves in second place in the North-East Group behind leaders Kapfenberg, having won four of their last five games and lost only once ahead of the clash with the UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden.

Last Saturday, the Lions beat ATSE Graz to take another step towards playoff qualification. Chairman Christian Mayerl and his team have declared Saturday "Family Day". Their opponents from Gmunden have managed just one win from their opening seven games.

The Traunsee Sharks are battling hard not to lose sight completely of third place in the play-off race. Most recently, the Upper Austrians had to face leaders Kapfenberg with a depleted squad of eleven skaters, while goaltender Rudi Hummel delivered a strong performance despite conceding four goals, posting a save percentage of 90,9 per cent.

Christian Mayerl, chairman of EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions: "It was a 'Big Win' against our direct rivals ATSE Graz, which we now want to follow up against the Sharks on Saturday. We neither look at the table nor at our opponents' recent results, and we are not distracted by them. Instead, we focus on the qualities that are needed. Hard, fast hockey with the heart of a lion in the right place – that is how we want to score points against the Sharks as well and offer the fans a great game. We are hoping for plenty of children and families at the rink, as it is our 'Family Day' and we are therefore starting at 17:00, including a puck competition for children with great prizes and entertainment around the game!"

Thomas Schatzl, chairman of UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden: "The next tough challenge awaits us on the road. After having to play in Kapfenberg with a depleted squad, we are hoping to get one or two players fit. The season has not gone our way since the start, but we have to get through it and hope to be able to field a full squad again for the next home games."

West Group: Kundl take on Hohenems

The EHC Crocodiles Kundl have lost their way a little in their last five games, winning three, after a strong start to the season.

Most recently, they suffered four defeats, with their only win coming against champions Wattens. The 1:12 defeat in the local derby against league leaders HC Kufstein in particular still rankles with the Crocodiles, with SC SAMINA Hohenems coming to the Eisarena in Kundl on Friday. The battle for playoff places is already in full swing in the West.

The Vorarlberg side, who celebrated 19 wins in 19 games last season, most recently suffered a 3:4 defeat after a penalty shootout in the derby against VEU Feldkirch. However, they remain the closest challengers to leaders HC Kufstein, three points behind.

Gerhard Maier, chairman of EHC Crocodiles Kundl:"After last Friday's heavy derby defeat against Kufstein, it is time to make amends. The fact that Hohenems have also been struggling this year compared to recent seasons and are no longer as dominant should allow us to approach the task with a little confidence. However, Hohenems are the favourites!"

Bernd Schmidle, Head Coach SC SAMINA Hohenems:"Kundl once again have a good team this year. They still had several injured players in the early stages of the season, which is why the first game against the Crocodiles is not decisive, and we will face a different team on Friday. It will certainly be a fast game in Kundl."

Can HC Innsbruck II stop Kufstein?

Kufstein are currently experiencing an ice hockey boom thanks to the Group West leaders HC Kufstein. 1.018 fans recently created a wave of excitement at the ice arena during the resounding 12:1 derby victory over Kundl.

The Dragons have already won three games by double-digit margins this season, and their upcoming opponents HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie II have also had to acknowledge Kufstein's offensive power. This was despite the Young Sharks winning the first period of their first meeting on All Saints' Day by 2:1. From the middle period onwards, Kufstein stepped up a gear and could no longer be stopped.

Willi Lanz, Sporting Director HC Kufstein:"The last two games were obviously outstanding for us. However, we must not let that distract us from our plan. In our experience, games against Innsbruck are difficult for us. We always seem to struggle particularly against them. We handled it quite well in the first away game, though. We need to build on that and not take the game lightly."

Werner Strele, Head Coach HC Innsbruck II:"Against Kufstein, we want to take the first period from our last game against the fortress town side with us, as our young HCI team performed very well and won it 2:1; we would like to turn the final result around."

Group South: Leaders Althofen vs. Jungadler

The 1st EHC Althofen, the Group South regular-season winners last season, have made a strong start to the current campaign.

After an opening defeat against Spittal, Head Coach Gerald Ressmann's team have recently celebrated three narrow victories, including a 2:1 win in the clash against the Pirates from Velden. The Rhinos host the young team of EC iDM VSV.

Last weekend, the Villach side suffered a 3:8 home defeat against the Hornets from Spittal. Head Coach Günther Lanzinger's team currently sit bottom of the table, but the battle for the two playoff places in the inter-regional knockout phase will only really intensify in the South over the coming weeks.

Clash of the round: Steindorf against Pirates Velden

The Group South clash of the round takes place at the Ossiacher See Halle. The side considered among the title favourites ESC SoccerZone Steindorf face off against USC Pirates Velden on Saturday.

Both teams will be looking to keep pace with 1st-placed EHC Althofen. Both head coaches – Herwig Gressel of Velden and Robert Moser of Steindorf – expect an exciting, close game.

Last Saturday, Steindorf beat Eisbären Huben 5:3 on the road in a very tough, physical game, while the Pirates narrowly lost 1:2 to the Rhinos from Althofen. Before the weekend, Velden will also play Huben at the Eishalle Velden on Wednesday.

Herwig Gressel, Head Coach USC Pirates Velden: "It will be an extremely difficult game for us. Steindorf are considered absolute title favourites and try to apply constant pressure with four lines. But we all know what to expect, want to stand up to them fully and create chances ourselves time and again. We are still a long way from the form we expect of ourselves, but we want to take another step in the right direction. Daniel Wachter is unavailable due to work commitments. That means other players have to take on more responsibility."

Robert Moser, Head Coach ESC SoccerZone Steindorf: "We are looking forward to our first home game, especially against last year's champions (of the Carinthian AHC Division 1, editor's note). With Thomas Stroj, Velden not only have the best goalkeeper, but also players such as Daniel Wachter (absent against Steindorf, editor's note) and Valentin Leiler, who raise the interest and standard of the league. We need to create plenty of traffic in front of the net and watch out for the opposition's quick transitions. This game is definitely worth attending and will be an evenly matched contest."

EC Spittal face Eisbären Huben

The EC LiWoDruck Spittal host UECR Eisbären Huben at the Eis-Sport-Arena Spittal on Saturday. After their first five games, the Hornets have two wins and three defeats, illustrating just how tight Group South is in the standings. With six points from two regulation-time wins, Head Coach Florian Orzetek's team are currently Althofen's closest challengers (before Wednesday's game between Velden and Huben, editor's note). Eisbären Huben suffered a 3:5 defeat against Steindorf in front of a wonderful home crowd of 800 fans, but Head Coach Silvio Trojer believes his team are on the right track.

Florian Orzetek, Head Coach EC LiWoDruck Spittal: "I think it will certainly be a difficult game for us. Huben always play very physically and never give up until the final minute. A slight advantage for us should certainly be home ice. We will prepare well and are already looking forward to an exciting game."

Silvio Trojer, Head Coach UECR Eisbären Huben: "I rate the Hornets very highly, especially after their latest win against VSV. They have considerable scoring quality in their ranks. As for us, I can only say that we are training well and developing in the right direction. Our team is definitely ready for this game!"

Matchday Group West

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. SC Hohenems
Fri, 25 November 2022, 19:30, Eisarena Kundl

HC Kufstein vs. HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie II
Sat, 26 November 2022, 17:30, Eisarena Kufstein

VEU Feldkirch vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins
Due to illness- and injury-related absences in the VEU Feldkirch squad, the matches against WSG Swarovski Wattens - Penguins and HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie II have been postponed!

HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie II vs. VEU Feldkirch
Due to illness- and injury-related absences in the VEU Feldkirch squad, the matches against WSG Swarovski Wattens - Penguins and HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie II have been postponed!

Matchday, North-East Group

EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions vs. UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden
Sat, 26 November 2022, 17:00, Aichfeldhalle

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. ATSE Graz
Sat, 26 November 2022, 18:00, Wiener Eislaufverein

UHT Dukes Graz vs. Kapfenberger SV
Sat, 26 November 2022, 19:15, Eishalle Frohnleiten

Matchday, South Group

1. EHC Althofen vs. EC iDM VSV
Sat, 26 November 2022, 15:30, Stadthalle Althofen

ESC SoccerZone Steindorf vs. USC Pirates Velden
Sat, 26 November 2022, 18:00, Ossiacher See Halle

EC LiWoDruck Spittal vs. UECR Eisbären Huben
Sat, 26 November 2022, 18:15, Eis-Sport-Arena Spittal

ÖEL matches will be shown on the Austrian Ice Hockey Federation's new livestreaming platform at LIVE.eishockey.at.

All standings, statistics and fixtures for the Ö Eishockey Liga in the Gamecentre

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