WEV win shootout thriller against ATSE Graz – leaders SC Hohenems over­come HC Kufstein

The situation ahead of the open-air classic in front of the Wiener Konzerthaus in Division East was clear: third-placed Wiener Eislauf-Verein faced ATSE Graz, who were second in the table before the match, in the top game of the round. Both teams made a brisk start in pleasant six-degree temperatures, with the game swinging back and forth, but there were no goals in the opening period.

Little initially changed in the character of the game in the second period. Both sides looked to play offensively and produced good, quick attacks. The goaltenders – Simeoni Kyllönen for Graz and Mathias Lichtenecker for Vienna – kept out all efforts for a long time. Once again, a match at the Wiener Eislauf-Verein venue offered a preview of the playoffs.

The team coached by Head Coach Markus Losch broke the deadlock: following a lapse in concentration by WEV, Pirmin Riedmann got hold of the puck and fired in the 1:0 for ATSE from close range (28 minutes in). The hosts responded, with Lukas Kaider levelling at 1:1 after a fine move (33 minutes in). The game now became more intense and exciting by the minute.

The Eggenberg side made the better start to the final period: Nino Jus scored with a backhand finish after a fine solo effort to make it 2:1 (44 minutes in). WEV pressed for an equaliser and found it late on: Cedric Ehrenreich fired from the right-hand side to make it 2:2 with five minutes remaining (55 minutes in).

Neither team had had enough, and the game went into three-on-three overtime. There was no goal during the five minutes, so the Division East top match reached its showdown in the shootout. After no player scored in the first round, the shootout also went to sudden death, where Philippe Lakos hammered the puck into the net to secure a 3:2 victory for WEV.

Murtal Lions win at the Dukes

The UHT Dukes Graz hosted EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions. Both teams are fully involved in the battle for playoff places, and that was reflected in the tense match. The visitors took the lead in the opening period when Robin Weihager fired the puck towards goal and Mario Sulzer forced it over the line to make it 1:0 for Murtal (10 minutes in).

UHT Dukes Graz equalised at 1:1 in the second period, with Paul Matscheko scoring from close range off a rebound (28 minutes in).

The hosts could not build on their momentum for long, as the Lions were back in front shortly after the midway point: Andreas Forcher made it 2:1 (31 minutes in). Forcher added the 3:1 on the power play for the Upper Styrians two and a half minutes before the end of the period (38 minutes in). With 32 seconds remaining before the second siren, Manuel Stuhlpfarrer also scored on the power play, his powerful shot making it 4:1 and setting the visitors on course for an away win.

The Murtal Lions saw the game out comfortably in the final period, with goaltender Nico Herzl shutting the door at the back as Head Coach Philipp Ullrich's team celebrated a clear 4:1 victory in Graz Liebenau.

Kapfenberg battle to victory over Sharks Gmunden

Table leaders Kapfenberger SV had never been tested so severely this season. The Kängurus did make a start against the UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmundennaturally started the game with a quick opening goal: Pierre Graf made it 1:0 after just under a minute and a half (2.). Four minutes later, Lukas Winkler extended the lead to 2:0 (6.) for the Mürztal side, and everything appeared to be going as usual.

However, after the quick lead, the Styrians' offence stalled, while the Sharks from Lake Traun grew into the game as it progressed and had been set up superbly by head coach Gregor Baumgartner. Keeper Rudi Hummel also kept his team in the game with some fine saves.

After a scoreless second period, Adrian Rosenberger drove forcefully to the net of KSV goalie Oliver Zirngast to make it 1:2 (48.). Just 108 seconds later, the Upper Austrians even equalised: Mario Pichler made it 2:2 for the Sharks. Gmunden continued to battle on, with a major upset in sight.

But the league leaders had the final say: Lukas Draschkowitz deceived Sharks keeper Rudi Hummel from a tight angle and fired Kapfenberg to a narrow 3:2 win (59.). It was the Kangaroos' eighth victory after 60 minutes in their eighth game.

Division West:

Hohenems defeat HC Kufstein again

So far, it has been the matchup of the season in Division West: HC Kufstein were determined to gain revenge against SC Samina Hohenems, who had arrived in the fortress town as the new league leaders following their 7:2 away win in Dornbirn on Wednesday. All three previous meetings had been closely contested games that the Vorarlberg side had won.

In front of nearly 600 fans at the Eisarena Kufstein, the Steinböcke made the better start and took a 1:0 lead through Lukas Fritz while shorthanded following a quick counter-attack (10.). Four minutes later, Lukas Fritz struck again, converting a cross-ice pass to make it 2:0 (14.). The new West Division leaders added another three minutes before the end of the period, with Julian Grafschafter beating Dragons goalie Thomas Hechenberger on the power play to make it 3:0 (18.).

The ice rink in the fortress town came alive for the first time in the second period: prolific scorer David Hrazdira brought the Tyroleans back into the game at 1:3 (26.). Anyone expecting Kufstein to launch a swift comeback was disappointed. As the new leaders, SC Hohenems played with confidence and did not concede another goal during the remainder of the middle period. 

Head coach Ivo Novotny's team tried to pull a goal back in the final period, and they succeeded: Florian Eder made it 2:3 with just under ten minutes remaining, turning the top clash into a thriller (51.). The Dragons were now on fire: 64 seconds after pulling a goal back, the Tyrolean fans had even more to celebrate as David Hrazdira equalised at 3:3 on the power play (52.).

The Vorarlberg side responded ruthlessly on a power-play opportunity two minutes later. Niklas Gehringer put the Steinböcke back in front at 4:3 (54.). As if that were not enough, Gehringer added the 5:3 for SC Hohenems 53 seconds after restoring the lead. Emotions then boiled over, with Steinböcke player Felix Vonbun and Dragons player Florian Eder becoming involved in a scuffle, ending the game for both of them.

In the end, the Vorarlberg side won 5:3 and extended their lead at the top of the table.

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division East:

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. ATSE Graz 3:2 after penalties (0:0,1:1,1:1,0:0,1:0)
Saturday, 16 December 2023, 18:00, WEV Arena - Lothringerstraße 22
Wiener Eislauf-Verein goalscorers: Lukas Kaider (32:28), Cedric Ehrenreich (54:55). Philippe Lakos (65:00/decisive penalty)
ATSE Graz goalscorers: Pirmin Riedmann (27:50), Nino Jus (43:48)

UHT Dukes Graz vs. EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions 1:4 (0:1,1:3,0:0)
Sat, 16 December 2023, 19:15, Merkur Eisstadion - Halle B
UHT Dukes Graz goalscorer: Paul Matscheko (at 27:43)
EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions goalscorers: Mario Sulzer (at 09:46), Andreas Forcher (at 30:36, at 37:21/PP1), Manuel Stuhlpfarrer (at 39:28/PP1)

Kapfenberger SV vs. UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden 3:2 (2:0,0:0,1:2)
Sat, 16 December 2023, 19:30, Stadthalle Kapfenberg
Kapfenberger SV goalscorers: Pierre Graf (at 01:33), Lukas Winkler (at 05:56), Lukas Draschkowitz (at 58:56)
Sharks Gmunden goalscorers: Adrian Rosenberger (at 47:00), Mario Pichler (at 48:48)

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division West:

HC Kufstein vs. SC Samina Hohenems 3:5 (0:3,1:0,2:2)
Sat, 16 December 2023, 17:30, Eisarena Kufstein
HC Kufstein goalscorers: David Hrazdira (at 25:22, at 51:14/PP1), Florian Eder (at 50:10)
SC Samina Hohenems goalscorers: Lukas Fritz (at 09:42/SH1, at 13:35), Julian Grafschafter (at 17:03/PP1), Niklas Gehringer (at 53:18/PP1, at 54:11)

VEU Feldkirch vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl
Sun, 17 December 2023, 19:00, Vorarlberghalle

Dornbirner EC vs. SC Samina Hohenems 2:7 (0:2,1:2,1:3)
Wed, 13 December 2023, 19:30, Messestadion Dornbirn
Dornbirner EC goalscorer: Robin Wüstner (33:59, 50:00)
SC Samina Hohenems scorers: Niklas Gehringer (01:18), Felix Vonbun (13:00), Lukas Fritz (24:38), Thomas Auer (33:19), Patric Scheffknecht (44:39), Christian Haidinger (53:48, 59:59)

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