WEV cele­brates open-air home debut against Murtal Lions – heated local derby as Kundl take on Kufstein

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions

Sat., 18 November 2023, 18:00, WEV-Arena, Lothringerstraße 22

The Wiener Eislauf-Verein could not have wished for a better match-up for their long-awaited home debut on Saturday at the WEV-Arena, set against the magnificent backdrop of the Wiener Konzerthaus: Sitting second in the standings, the Viennese side welcome third-placed EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions. 

On Saturday, Wiener Eislauf-Verein will celebrate the grand season opening with an extensive supporting programme from 09:00, when ice sports fans will have access to 6.000 square metres of artificial ice for skating, ice stock sport and ice hockey.

The highlight from 18:00 is the blockbuster clash between WEV and Zeltweg Murtal Lions, with former ORF ice hockey commentator and former WEV player Michael Berger providing commentary on the livestream. The ice arena has been adapted, an additional new stand installed, the ticket booth refurbished, a new VIP area created and new goals added to give it a polished overall appearance. Capacity is now around 750 fans, who can look forward to an emotional encounter. 

In their first meeting, WEV led 3:0 away from home before the Lions showed heart to level at 3:3, with Head Coach Mario Kubeczka's team eventually claiming the extra point in overtime. The Styrians recently gained confidence with a narrow 3:2 win away in Gmunden.

WEV General Manager Michael Vorlaufer expects a great crowd and is looking forward to welcoming several WEV ice hockey legends on Saturday: "We are looking forward to returning home to the WEV-Arena. We already experienced last season what energy can be unleashed here. Although things did not go so well in Kapfenberg last week, we are hoping for a full arena. I am particularly looking forward to having some WEV legends from the 1960s to the 1980s as our guests on Saturday!" 

Head Coach Mario Kubeczka has put the heavy defeat against Kapfenberg behind him: "We are really looking forward to our first home game of the season. There is nothing better than playing at Heumarkt, in front of our fans and the Konzerthaus. We have put the Kapfenberg game behind us and are continuing to build on the games before it. We are working very hard and want to reward ourselves immediately in order to secure second place in the standings. Fans can look forward to a hard, fast game. Zeltweg are a very good, well-drilled team that have played together for years. We are looking forward to finally facing them at Heumarkt!"

Zeltweg Murtal Lions Chairman Christian Mayerl knows that the battle for the play-off places behind Kapfenberg is already in full swing: "Saturday marks a first for us – an outdoor game at Heumarkt! Clearly a highlight that we want to approach positively. The win in Gmunden has certainly boosted our confidence, but we know how WEV play and we need to be ready for that. At the moment, it is not about the places, but about finding consistency in order to be where we want to be in the end. Behind Kapfenberg, there is a battle for the play-off places this year – an interesting championship from second place onwards!"

UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden vs. UHT Dukes Graz

Sat., 18 November 2023, 18:15, Gmunden Eishalle

The battle for the play-off places in the East Division also extends to the direct clash between UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden and UHT Dukes Graz. Fourth place is the minimum target and would secure a place in the Ö Eishockey Liga quarter-finals. Both teams will be playing for important points at Lake Traun. 

The Sharks had lost their previous three games, and now the Dukes, the team they beat away from home at the start of the season, come to the Shark Tank. Last weekend, Graz picked up their first three points of the season in the Graz city derby against ATSE of all games, impressively putting themselves back in the play-off race.

Thomas Schatzl, chairman of Sharks Gmunden, knows that his team will not underestimate Graz: "Unfortunately, we failed to take our chances in the first period against Zeltweg and consequently suffered a narrow defeat. We have to do better against the Dukes on Saturday. Having won away from home, a home win can of course be our only objective, although we certainly will not underestimate the Dukes after their win over ATSE. We are also hoping for the great support of our fans. With three additional points, we would be level on games with ATSE and Zeltweg in the standings again!" 

Sharks head coach Gregor Baumgartner adds: "Unfortunately, we have let a few things slip in recent games and need to make amends on Saturday. Offensively, we simply need to become more efficient. The aim is to perform even better as a team."

Jurica Bednjanec, player-coach at UHT Dukes Graz, heads to Lake Traun highly motivated with his team after the derby win over ATSE Graz: "The derby win has given us confidence and shown that our team has character. We are looking forward to the game in Gmunden and will fight for three points."

Division West:

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. HC Kufstein

Fri, 17 November 2023, 19:30, Eisarena Kundl

The third Kufstein district derby between EHC Crocodiles Kundl and league leaders HC Kufstein is already on the schedule for Friday in the Ö Eishockey Liga Division West. The two previous encounters at Kufstein's ice arena were real thrillers, each featuring an exciting course of play.

In the first meeting, the Dragons were already 4:0 ahead before the Crocodiles launched a comeback that ultimately went unrewarded, with Kufstein winning 5:3. The second derby of the season, played in Kufstein in front of more than 800 fans, was not for the faint-hearted either. The visitors from Kundl pulled away to 5:2 before Kufstein turned the game around to 6:5 with a storming finish in the final 15 minutes.

Gerhard Maier, chairman of EHC Crocodiles Kundl, wants his team to finally reward themselves in the derby after two narrow defeats: "Unfortunately, we lost the last two games against Kufstein in a silly and unlucky manner despite not being the inferior team. Now it is time for us to reward ourselves with three points against Kufstein. We are ready!"

HC Kufstein head coach Ivo Novotny expects a strong Kufstein fan contingent at the away derby in Kundl: "We are very much looking forward to the clash with Kundl. As always, we will prepare well and travel to Kundl highly motivated. We have heard that there is great interest among our fans and that we will receive fantastic support."

SC Samina Hohenems vs. Dornbirner EC

Sat, 18 November 2023, 17:30, Eisstadion Hohenems

The SC Samina Hohenems, who host Dornbirner EC in the Vorarlberg derby on Saturday, have made a perfect start: the first five games were all won in regulation time.

The Steinböcke recently played out a spectacular match against league leaders HC Kufstein, with Hohenems ultimately prevailing 5:4 in overtime. Having taken a 1:0 lead, Kufstein responded to every equaliser with another go-ahead goal in regulation time, a pattern that continued until 4:3.

The Bulldogs have lost all eight of their games so far, although they recently pushed Crocodiles Kundl all the way until just after the halfway point of the game. However, with a short bench of only twelve skaters, they ultimately had to accept a 3:6 defeat. 

Thomas Sticha, head coach of SC Hohenems, is once again warning against the young Bulldogs: "Dornbirn are a young and hungry team whose performances still fluctuate due to their young age. However, they have repeatedly impressed with good results recently. We will not make the mistake of underestimating this team, as that would be too dangerous."

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division East:

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions

Sat, 18 November 2023, 18:00, WEV-Arena, Lothringerstraße 22

UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden vs. UHT Dukes Graz

Sat, 18 November 2023, 18:15, Gmunden Eishalle

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division West:

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. HC Kufstein

Fri, 17 November 2023, 19:30, Eisarena Kundl

SC Samina Hohenems vs. Dornbirner EC

Sat, 18 November 2023, 17:30, Eisstadion Hohenems

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