Before the win2day ICE Hockey League goes into its last break before the absolute crunch time, there are still numerous trend-setting games on the program this weekend in the battle for positions in the basic round.
Among others, HC Falkensteiner Pustertal, who wants to take another step towards quarter-final qualification, and EC iDM Heat Pumps VSV, who are in the middle of the fight for a pre-playoff place, will duel on Friday.
Moser Medical Graz99ers – Pioneers Vorarlberg
After the clear away win in Pustertal, the Moser Medical Graz99ers return to Graz for two home games before the league break. The Styrians have already qualified for the playoffs nine rounds before the end of the regular round and are therefore entering the duel with the Pioneers Vorarlberg from a stable starting position.
The season’s record so far speaks clearly for Graz, which has only given up one point against Vorarlberg. Despite their current table position, the guests still have at least a mathematical chance of making it to the pre-playoffs.
In terms of personnel, the situation at the Graz99ers remains tense. Several players are still missing, which limits the depth in the lineup for this home game.
Vienna Capitals – HC TIWAG Innsbruck
The Vienna Capitals have an intense home weekend ahead of the league break. The game kicks off on Friday with the duel against HC TIWAG Innsbruck, the bottom of the table. For the Viennese, important points are at stake in the fight for the pre-playoff places after recently falling back to eighth place.
The Capitals are performing well in front of their own audience under head coach Kevin Constantine. Eight wins from the last eleven home games underline the importance of the STEFFL Arena as a factor, and the Viennese have remained without a point at home since the end of December. Innsbruck, on the other hand, is still the weakest team in the league away from home and has been waiting for a win away from home since the beginning of November.
The direct comparison also clearly speaks in favor of Vienna, which has won the last seven duels. The guests from Tyrol already have no chance of making it to the pre-playoffs and are fighting for a conciliatory end to the season in the remaining games.
Olimpija Ljubljana – EC Red Bull Salzburg
Before the three-week league break, EC Red Bull Salzburg has their fourth duel of the season with Olimpija Ljubljana on the agenda. Five rounds before the end of the regular round, the starting position in the battle for placements is still tight, especially in the race for a Champions Hockey League place.
Salzburg travels to Slovenia with a tailwind. There have only been two defeats in the last 19 games, most recently the Red Bulls have won three times in a row – including an away win against league leaders Klagenfurt. In the recent 4-0 win against Fehérvár, Salzburg impressed with a unified team performance despite several failures.
Olimpija Ljubljana is also stable again. After a weaker phase around the turn of the year, the Slovenians recently celebrated four wins in a row and are currently in fifth place. With fewer games played than some direct competitors, there remains further potential in the table. The hosts continue to have the strongest offensive team in the league. With 152 goals scored, Ljubljana leads this ranking, closely followed by Salzburg and Klagenfurt. Defensively, Salzburg is one of the most stable teams in the league, while Ljubljana is in the middle of the field in terms of goals conceded.
HC Falkensteiner Pustertal – EC iDM heat pumps VSV
The HC Falkensteiner Pustertal welcomes the EC iDM Heat Pumps VSV in the Intercable Arena on Friday. While the South Tyroleans are in the middle of the race for direct playoff qualification, the Villachers are fighting for important points in the tight pre-playoff race.
Pustertal recently recorded five wins from the last seven games, but suffered a bitter setback against Graz on Wednesday. Overall, the South Tyroleans are one of the more defensively robust teams this season – even if they conceded seven goals on Wednesday – and also have strong special teams.
Villach arrives with new self-confidence after the 4-1 home win against the Vienna Capitals. The Eagles appeared to have clearly stabilized defensively and took an important step back into the pre-playoff ranks. However, consistency remains the deciding factor after the season has been characterized by inconsistent performances so far.
The direct comparison recently speaks easily for Pustertal, especially in the Intercable Arena, where Villach remained without a point in the previous encounters. Important points are at stake for both teams in the fight for the decisive positions in the table.
Saturday: Vienna Capitals – Pioneers Vorarlberg
On Saturday the Capitals will host the Pioneers Vorarlberg, who are also still hoping for the pre-playoffs. While Vienna has been mostly successful recently in the STEFFL Arena, the Vorarlbergers have proven to be unpleasant opponents overall in the past direct duels.
The home record still speaks in favor of the Capitals, who were able to win five of seven home games against the Pioneers. However, the guests’ performances away from home are significantly more variable than in their own stadium, but they have recently also been able to compete in other halls.
Saturday: Moser Medical Graz99ers – HC TIWAG Innsbruck
Graz’s second home game within 24 hours against HC TIWAG Innsbruck follows on Saturday. The Tyroleans are lagging behind in the table, but are one of the few teams that have already beaten Graz twice this season.
This gives the Graz99ers the opportunity to score important points again before the break and end the home series on a positive note. Marcus Vela returns to the lineup after serving his suspension, but further personnel question marks remain.
win2day ICE Hockey League, January 30, 2026:
6:30 p.m. Moser Medical Graz99ers – Pioneers Vorarlberg
Referees: NAGY, SMETANA, Vaczi, Zacherl
7:15 p.m. Vienna Capitals – HC TIWAG Innsbruck
Referees: HRONSKY, STERNAT, Bedynek, Konc
7:15 p.m. Olympia Ljubljana – EC Red Bull Salzburg
Referees: PIRAGIC, ZRNIC, Hribar, Zgonc
7:45 p.m. HC Falkensteiner Pustertal – EC iDM Heat Pumps VSV
Referees: NIKOLIC M., SCHAUER, Pardatscher, Rigoni
win2day ICE Hockey League, January 31, 2026:
4:30 p.m. Vienna Capitals – Pioneers Vorarlberg
Referees: NIKOLIC K., SIEGEL, Konc, Riecken
6:30 p.m. Moser Medical Graz99ers – HC TIWAG Innsbruck
Referees: GROZNIK, OFNER, Seewald, Wimmler
All games LIVE on Sporteurope.TV
ice.hockey , Image: EC Red Bull Salzburg
