The EC VSV picked up Michael Kernberger an experienced defender for the rest of the season. The 29-year-old has already completed his first training session in Villach and is scheduled to make his debut tomorrow in the pre-play-off duel against Linz – of all teams against his former club.
Kernberger has already played for the Pioneers Vorarlberg this season and also made four appearances for the Black Wings Linz. The fact that his involvement there ended quickly because injured players returned quicker than expected now provides additional motivation: “That’s an extra incentive for me,” Kernberger told the “Crown newspaper“.
With a strong plus-minus balance of +10 from 28 games as well as three goals and six assists, the 1.84 meter tall defender brings stability to the recently rejuvenated VSV defense. So far, the Klagenfurt native has played 343 ICEHL games and collected 54 scorer points. He also appeared in 30 playoff games, most recently in 2024/25 in the Graz99ers’ uniform against the Black Wings.
Offensive under pressure
While the defense has been strengthened, the offense remains challenged: Villach has been waiting for a goal against an opposing goalie for 142 minutes of play. They remained goalless against Graz and Pustertal, and one goal fell into an empty net in the 3-1 win against Vorarlberg.
Youngsters celebrate derby success
VSV’s U18s made positive headlines: with a 7-3 win over their arch-rivals EC KAC the semi-final against Salzburg was secured. Youngster Paul Sintschnig contributed two goals.
Now the focus is entirely on the pre-playoff start against Linz – a very special duel for Kernberger. “Sure it’s weird, but I’m really excited to finally be playing playoff hockey again.”
Image: Helmut Huppmann
“), i.text = “window._taboola = window._taboola || ();_taboola.push({mode:’alternating-thumbnails-a’, container:’taboola-below-article-thumbnails’, placement:’below-article’, target_type: ‘mix’});”, n.appendChild(l), n.appendChild(i), e(n, t) } Array.prototype.filter || (Array.prototype.filter = function(e, t) { if (“function” != typeof e) throw TypeError(); let n = (); for (let l = 0, i = this.length >>> 0; l < i; l += 1) if (l in this) { let r = this(l); e.call(t, r, l, this) && n.push(r) } return n }), window.insertAfter = e, window.getElementByXPath = t, window.injectWidgetByXpath = function e(l) { let i = t(l) ||. document.getElementById("tbdefault"); i && n(i) }, window.injectWidgetByMarker = function e
