WEV face cham­pions Sharks Gmunden – Dorn­birn take on leaders EHC Lustenau in district derby

EHC Kundl vs. SC Samina Hohenems
Fri., 24 October 2025, 19:30, Eisarena Kundl

As early as Friday, EHC Kundl face SC Samina Hohenems at Eisarena Kundl in Division West. It is a clash between neighbouring teams in the table – after three matches, the Steinböcke are level on points with league leaders Lustenau in second place, while Kundl are third, four points behind. The Tyroleans, who won their two home games against Kufstein 4:3 after overtime and most recently against Dornbirn 4:2, have a further run of four consecutive home games until 14 November.

Kundl chairman Stefan Rainer is looking forward to the next ice hockey spectacle at home after the win against the Bulldogs: "What a battle that was at the weekend. Dornbirn gave everything and really tested us; it was an intense game that took a lot of energy. Hohenems are an absolute top team, one that has been performing strongly for years, plays quality ice hockey, has not dropped a point yet and was in the final last year for good reason. But we are taking the momentum and confidence from the last few games with us and we are ready. We are looking forward to an intense, high-quality and hopefully exciting ice hockey match on Friday evening in Kundl!"

Hohenems have made a very strong start to the new season and have the maximum nine points on the board. Following two away wins against Kufstein (3:2) and in the derby against Dornbirn (5:1), they opened their home campaign at Herrenried last Saturday with a 5:4 win after a thriller against the Wattens Penguins.

Matthias Fritz, sporting director of SC Hohenems, is expecting an intense game in the Lower Inn Valley: "We have a tough task ahead of us in Kundl. They have one of the best goaltenders in the league and have strengthened their squad purposefully with two strong import players. We expect a fast, intense game and need to be fully switched on from the start to confirm our good form."

Dornbirner EC Bulldogs vs. EHC Lustenau
Sun., 26 October 2025, 17:30, Messestadion

The Dornbirner EC Bulldogs face another major district derby clash in Division West on National Day, when league leaders EHC Lustenau visit the Messestadion. The Bulldogs started the season with a 4:3 home win against Wattens before suffering a 1:5 defeat in the derby against Hohenems. Most recently, Dornbirn put up a strong fight away to EHC Kundl, took the lead and battled back after falling 1:3 behind, before the Tyroleans prevailed 4:2.

Dornbirn chairman Christof Schwendinger wants his team to trouble the West Division leaders in the derby: "The league leaders are coming to Dornbirn in the shape of Lustenau. Lustenau have had a flawless start to the season so far and have not dropped a point yet. We want to play our game at home and try to trouble and put pressure on the Lions. We are using this week to prepare as best we can for favourites Lustenau!"

Lustenau sit top of the table with nine points after three rounds. After two comfortable home wins against Kundl (3:1) and Wattens (5:1), the Lions won 5:3 in Kufstein on Saturday in an emotionally charged game and, after a rollercoaster of ice hockey emotions, having held a 2:0 lead and trailed 2:3, only with a late sprint in the final minutes. This time, the journey is an easy one for the Lustenau players, as the two ice rinks are only around five kilometres apart.

Dániel Fekete, Head Coach of EHC Lustenau, praises the Bulldogs' development and demands maximum focus from his team in the derby: "Unlike last year, the Bulldogs have strengthened in several positions. In addition, the young Dornbirn players now have an extra season of experience and have been able to get used to the pace of the league. I am certain that Dornbirn will put up a better showing this season than they did last term. In any case, we will not do Dornbirn the favour of underestimating them. I expect our team to play with focus from the outset. We have to turn the chances that come our way into goals and must not allow the Bulldogs to get into the game!"

HC Kufstein vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins - cancelled

The HC Kufstein match against WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins on Saturday had to be cancelled due to an ammonia leak at the Eisarena Kufstein. A new date will follow.

Eastern Division:

HDK Maribor vs. ATSE Graz
Sat, 25 October 2025, 18:30, Ledna dvorana Maribor

The HDK Maribor face ATSE Graz in the Styrian derby in the Eastern Division at the Ledna dvorana Maribor on Saturday. It is also a match between twin towns, with the capital of Štajerska and the Styrian provincial capital just over 75 kilometres apart by road. The Foxes recently pushed Kapfenberg all the way on the road, led 1:0 and came back from a 1:2 deficit in the final period, but ultimately had to accept a narrow 2:3 defeat.

Maribor Head Coach Jure Verlič wants his team to be more effective in attack, building on a strong defence: "We are looking forward to another game in front of our fans, who gave us so much energy in the last home game. We have to stay out of the penalty box and play fast, simple hockey. Our goaltenders and the solid defensive structure have been good; now we just want to become more dangerous and apply more pressure offensively!"

Graz made a strong start to the new season. After an unexpected 2:1 overtime win in Kapfenberg in the opener, the Eggenberg side pushed reigning champions Sharks Gmunden all the way in their first home game, but ultimately suffered a 2:4 defeat. Most recently, Graz came from 0:1 down at home against WEV to claim a 3:1 win. ATSE are therefore just two points behind league leaders Kapfenberg, with five points from one game fewer. Last year, Graz picked up only seven points throughout the entire regular season.

ATSE Head Coach Markus Losch wants to build on the success against the Viennese side, but is aware of the Slovenians' strength: "After the win against WEV, we hope that the positive mood can be carried forward and maintained. For me, Maribor have been a surprise so far this season. All their results have been very close and the team also seems to have become more consistent. Nevertheless, we are pursuing our goal of continuing to develop week by week and delivering another attractive game in Maribor. Then ATSE could secure their next win!"

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden
Sat, 25 October 2025, 19:30, Steffl Arena Hall 3

The Wiener Eislauf-Verein take on reigning champions UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden in the Eastern Division at Steffl Arena Hall 3 in Vienna's Kagran district on Saturday. Following the forfeited match against Maribor, the Vienna side are seeking their first win on the ice. They most recently lost 1:3 to ATSE in Graz, while their first home game on 11 October ended in a 2:5 defeat to KSV Kängurus from the Mürztal valley.

WEV head coach Philipp Ullrich is demanding more responsibility from his players on the ice: "We will clearly be the underdogs in the game against the reigning champions from Gmunden. My team must try to play with greater responsibility and maturity. That will be the only way to challenge Gmunden and give ourselves a chance of picking up points."

Defending champions Sharks Gmunden made an extremely successful start to the season, with the Upper Austrians beating Kapfenberg 3:0 in their home opener at the beginning of October before the Traunsee Sharks followed it up with a 4:2 win after a hard-fought game against ATSE in Graz. With two games in hand and six points, Gmunden are just one point behind the Kangaroos from Kapfenberg in second place in the Division East table.

Gmunden head coach Gregor Baumgartner is travelling to Danube City with his team full of confidence after the good start to the season: "We are looking forward to an indoor clash with the Viennese. It will be a tough task and victory can only come through our commitment. I am confident that we will deliver a good game!"

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division West:

EHC Kundl vs. SC Samina Hohenems
Fri, 24 October 2025, 19:30, Eisarena Kundl - >> to the livestream

Dornbirner EC Bulldogs vs. EHC Lustenau
Sun, 26 October 2025, 17:30, Messestadion - >> to the livestream

HC Kufstein vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins - cancelled - new date to follow

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division East:

HDK Maribor vs. ATSE Graz
Sat, 25 October 2025, 18:30, Ledna dvorana Maribor - >> to the livestream

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden
Sat, 25 October 2025, 19:30, Steffl Arena Hall 3 - >> to the livestream

KSV Kängurus have a bye.

Ö Eishockey Liga format 2025/2026

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

After Phase 1, there will once again be an inter-regional play-off, beginning with the quarter-finals on 07 February 2026. The play-off pick will again add extra excitement after the regular season in the coming campaign. The highest-ranked team in each of the West and East Divisions may select its quarter-final opponent from the team placed third or fourth in the other division. From the quarter-finals through the semi-finals to the final, the play-off 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 fixtures in the Gamecenter

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