Zeltweg Murtal Lions edge past the Dukes Graz – Hohenems lose to Kundl and beat VEU

The home match of EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions against UHT Dukes Graz had a potentially decisive bearing on the battle to reach the play-offs.

The Lions started the game accordingly, with Philipp Ullrich scoring an early 1:0 for the home side (3rd min.). The Dukes from the Styrian capital then kept the game close before Robin Weihager made it 2:0 for the Murtal Lions (15th min.). Then the Dukes got on the scoresheet: Noel Eschenberger pulled one back to 1:2 in the first period (18th min.).

Zeltweg also made a lightning start to the second period, this time taking exactly 21 seconds before Michael Grüneis restored the two-goal lead at 3:1 (21st min.). Emotions then entered the game, as Universitäts Hockey Team's Florian De Pauli and goalscorer Michael Grüneis exchanged words.

The match became more exciting by the minute, with both teams mindful of the battle to reach the play-offs. Zeltweg committed a few indiscretions in the form of penalties. The team coached by player-coach Jurica Bednjanec capitalised on this phase and, shortly after the halfway mark, reduced the deficit to 2:3 on a 5:3 power play (31st min.). Things were now heating up at the Aichfeldhalle.

The final period was not for the faint-hearted. The Murtal Lions initially had a power play but had to concede the equaliser at 3:3. Cornelius Kaschnig blew the game wide open again with a shorthanded goal (49th min.), and it was crunch time. The hosts had the right response ready. Kevin Pesendorfer sent the Aichfeldhalle into raptures with the 4:3 (54th min.).

In the final minute, Graz took goaltender Paul Mocher off the ice, but they could not find an equaliser. Zeltweg Murtal Lions celebrated a narrow 4:3 victory and took a big step towards reaching the play-offs.

Kapfenberger SV beat Gmunden

For league leaders Kapfenberger SV in their home game against UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden the aim was to preserve their perfect record – so far, the Kangaroos are the only Ö Eishockey Liga team to have won every game after 60 minutes.

The Sharks from Lake Traun struck early: after exactly 56 seconds, Bastian Szieber made it 1:0 to Gmunden from close range (1st min.). The Kangaroos gradually found their way into the game and equalised at 1:1, as Pierre Graf deflected a shot from Adrian Stühlinger (11th min.).

During a spell in which Kapfenberg were able to establish themselves in the attacking zone, Iacopo Granza scored from close range to make it 2:1 (18th min.). Then, at least the fans thought, normal service resumed: Pierre Graf scored from the slot 34 seconds before the end of the period to make it 3:1 (20th min.). Almost straight from the restart, the Upper Austrians quickly reduced the deficit to 2:3, with Markus Krotsch getting his stick to the puck after an attack and catching goaltender Oliver Zirngast by surprise eight seconds before the first siren (20th min.).

At the start of the second period, the Styrians were dominant, with Kevin Moderer scoring the inevitable 4:2 after 68 seconds (22nd min.). Lukas Draschkowitz made it 5:2 from close range (28th min.). The Kangaroos had now taken complete control of the match and were clearly on top.

Pierre Graf scored for the third time that evening after a rebound to make it 6:2 (29th min.). Patrick Huppmann fired home to beat Sharks goaltender Daniel Mörixbauer for 7:2 (32nd min.). The visitors then showed character: first, Laurens Ober put the puck over the line after a power-play shot to make it 3:7 (35th min.), before Felix Mayer scored from the left face-off circle to make it 4:7 shortly afterwards (36th min.).

Kapfenberg stepped things up again in the final period, with Lukas Draschkowitz scoring after power-play-like pressure to make it 8:4 (50th min.). The league leaders then saw out the game comfortably and celebrated their tenth win in ten games after 60 minutes.

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. ATSE Graz called off

Division West:

SC Hohenems win derby against VEU Feldkirch

The Division West leaders began the year with a home double-header, as SC Samina Hohenems opened 2024 with a __OEHV_NUM_AE_A__ defeat to the EHC Crocodiles Kundl suffered a 3:5 defeat. It was the Vorarlberg side’s first loss of the season.

The big Vorarlberg derby against VEU Feldkirch followed on Epiphany in front of around 750 fans. Veteran Martin Grabher Meier, who laced up his skates for VEU in the EBEL in the 2003/2004 season, scored on the first power play after just under two minutes to give the Steinböcke a 1:0 lead (3.).

Just 42 seconds later, Alessandro Togni equalised (3.). In a turbulent opening phase, Martin Grabher Meier once again put Hohenems ahead at 2:1 (7.).

32 seconds before the halfway point of the derby, Christian Haidinger made it 3:1 for head coach Thomas Sticha's team after a swift attack (30.). The Schlittschuhclub then managed the score astutely and gave little away. In the final period, Lukas Fritz put the hosts firmly on course for victory with the 4:1 (45.).

Former VEU forward Benjamin Kyllönen was then sent through perfectly to score the 5:1 (50.). Christian Haidinger made it 6:1 from the slot, with the derby long since decided by that point (57.). In the end, HSC celebrated their fourth win in four derbies against VEU Feldkirch.

HC Kufstein defeat Dornbirner EC

Division West's second-placed side, HC Kufstein began 2024 against Dornbirner EC.

The favourites took an early 1:0 lead through Martin Kosnar in front of more than 500 fans (5.). 30 seconds before the end of the period, Manuel Eder made it 2:0 for the Dragons (20.). The Vorarlberg side continued to defend resolutely in the second period, while the young Bulldogs were unable to find a goal for a long time. However, Jannik Fitz brought his team back into the game with the 1:2 goal. Suddenly, the match was exciting again.

Kufstein were now forced to raise the tempo, and they did so after that wake-up call: Philipp Sappl restored the two-goal lead with his goal for 3:1 (36.).

However, Dornbirn were not discouraged and reduced the deficit to 2:3 through Stefan Leitner in the final period (46.), making the match tense once more. Czech goal-getter Martin Kosnar scored the decisive 4:2 with ten and a half minutes remaining (50.).

Just under five minutes before the final siren, Markus Prock finally wrapped up the game with the 5:2 (55.). The Vorarlberg side were still able to improve the scoreline in the final minute, as Leon Schmeiser scored the 3:5 short-handed with 34 seconds remaining (60.).

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division East:

EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions vs. UHT Dukes Graz 4:3 (2:1,1:1,1:1)
Sat., 06 January 2024, 19:45, Aichfeldhalle
EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions goalscorers: Philipp Ullrich (02:43), Robin Weihager (14:52), Michael Grüneis (20:21), Kevin Pesendorfer (53:12)
UHT Dukes Graz goalscorers: Noel Eschenberger (17:10), Paul Matscheko (30:13/PP2). Cornelius Kaschnig (48:24/SH1)

Kapfenberger SV vs. UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden 8:4 (3:2,4:2,1:0)
Sat., 06 January 2024, 19:30, Stadthalle Kapfenberg
Kapfenberger SV goalscorers: Pierre Graf (10:08, 19:26, 28:32), Iacopo Granza (17:00), Kevin Moderer (21:08), Lukas Draschkowitz (27:12, 49:36), Patrick Huppmann (31:29)
Sharks Gmunden goalscorers: Bastian Szieber (00:56), Markus Krotsch (19:52), Laurens Ober (34:00/PP1), Felix Mayer (35:34)

UHT Dukes Graz vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein 2:6 (1:3,1:2,0:1)
Sun., 07 January 2024, 18:00, Graz Merkur Eisstadion - Halle B
UHT Dukes Graz goalscorers: Moritz Stradner (08:47), Cornelius Kaschnig (30:36/PP1)
Wiener Eislauf-Verein goalscorers: Lukas Kaider (11:52, 46:12), Christoph Vermeersch (13:15), Stephan Brozovsky (17:26, 34:26), Lucas Burzin (23:17)

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. ATSE Graz cancelled due to weather - new date to follow

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division West:

SC Samina Hohenems vs. VEU Feldkirch 6:1 (2:1,1:0,3:0)
Sat., 06 January 2024, 17:30, Eisstadion Hohenems
SC Samina Hohenems goalscorers: Martin Grabher Meier (02:07/PP1, 06:20), Christian Haidinger (29:28, 56:49). Lukas Fritz (44:17), Benjamin Kyllönen (49:20)
VEU Feldkirch scorer: Alessandro Togni (at 02:49)

HC Kufstein vs. Dornbirner EC 5:3 (2:0,1:1,2:2)
Sat., 06 January 2024, 17:30, Eisarena Kufstein
HC Kufstein scorers: Martin Kosnar (at 04:02, 49:25), Manuel Eder (at 19:30), Philipp Sappl (at 35:17), Markus Prock (at 54:45)
Dornbirner EC scorers: Jannik Fitz (at 33:37), Stefan Leitner (at 45:10), Leon Schmeiser (at 59:26/SH1)

SC Samina Hohenems vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl 3:5 (1:3,2:1,0:1)
Fri., 05 January 2024, 19:00, Eisstadion Hohenems
SC Samina Hohenems scorers: Fabian Mandlburger (at 02:21/SH1), Johannes Hehle (at 26:21), Thomas Auer (at 31:54)
EHC Crocodiles Kundl scorers: Daniel Frischmann (at 07:04), Fabio Müller (at 10:58), Sebastian Schild (at 13:43), Matko Pavetic (at 36:07)

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