ICEHL showdown: Who will finish in the top 10 and who will get home advantage in the pre-playoff?

With the end of the basic round, not only the fight for the direct playoff places in the win2day ICE Hockey League is getting closer, but above all the race for the top 10. These decide whether to take part in the pre-playoff, while places 7 and 8 also mean home advantage in the decisive phase – an advantage that should not be underestimated.



The focus of this analysis is on five teams that are in the middle of this tight race:
Vienna Capitals, Black Wings Linz, VSV, Hydro Fehérvár AV19 and FTC-Telekom Budapest.

Vienna Capitals – good starting point, but hardly easy evenings

Initial situation:
The Capitals are in 7th place with 61 points from 43 games. This means they are currently in a comfortable, but by no means safe position. With 5 games left, there is room for improvement – ​​but also for downwards.

Remaining program:

  • February 18th: away to Olimpija Ljubljana

  • 02/20: away at Black Wings Linz

  • 02/25: Home game against Graz99ers

  • 02/27: Home game against Fehérvár AV19

  • 01.03.: away at KAC

Classification: Very demanding. Several direct duels, plus away games with top teams. The away game against Linz and the home game against Fehérvár are almost mandatory.

Key players:
Linden Vey is the central factor of the Vienna offensive. His experience, especially in pressure situations, can be worth gold for Vienna in the fight for the pre-playoffs or for home advantage. In close games he is the player who can decide games. Zane Franklin and Jeremy Grégoire embody exactly the playoff hockey that is needed now: physical and uncomfortable. Extremely important, especially in direct duels against teams like Linz and Fehervar. The goalkeeper question remains exciting: Coach Kevin Constantine has rotated diligently in the last few rounds. If Sebastian Wraneschitz actually prevails against Evan Cowley in the long term, that could bring additional stability defensively.

Steinbach Black Wings Linz – everything in your own hands

Initial situation:
Linz is in 8th place with 55 points from 43 games. The Black Wings are right in the middle of the chasing pack, but still have 5 games left, many of them against direct competitors.

Remaining program:

  • 02/18: away at Pioneers Vorarlberg

  • 02/20: Home game against Vienna Capitals

  • 02/22: Home game against Olimpija Ljubljana

  • 02/27: away at FTC Budapest

  • March 1st: Home game against Graz99ers

Classification: Feasible on paper, but dangerous. Linz can protect itself with a good run, but on the contrary it can also fall deeply.

Key players:
Offensively, Graham Knott and Travis Barron are currently carrying almost the entire load. When Linz scores, it is usually through this axis. Problematic: Brian Lebler doesn’t seem to be in playoff form yet, Shawn St-Amant has so far performed below expectations and hasn’t been able to build on his last season. If one of them were to ignite in time, it would be a massive advantage for the people of Stahlstadt. However, the biggest construction site remains goaltending: Rasmus Tirronen and Thomas Höneckl have a catch rate well below 90%. At a time when games are often decided by one goal, this is a serious risk.

EC iDM heat pumps VSV – difficult program, but offensive weapons

Initial situation:
VSV has 55 points from 42 games and still has 6 games. The remaining program could offer VSV the chance of an early preliminary decision.

Remaining program:

  • 02/14: away at FTC Budapest

  • 02/15: away to Fehérvár AV19

  • 02/20: away at Red Bull Salzburg

  • 02/22: Home game against Pioneers Vorarlberg

  • 02/27: away at Graz99ers

  • 01.03.: Home game against HC Pustertal

Classification: Two away games with top teams, plus hardly any breathers. The VSV will have to get points where they might not be directly planned.

Key players:
Adam Helewka is currently the Eagles’ most important offensive man: 10 points from the last 10 games, most recently a hat trick against Ljubljana, now top scorer. He is the player who can turn games around single-handedly. Nick Hutchison brings exactly the intensity and toughness that is needed in this phase. The VSV traditionally thrives on its offensive, as we recently saw again after the engine sputtered for a long time. Defensively it will depend heavily on Joe Cannata. His strong January showed that – with targeted breaks – he can be a real source of support. A trump card for the Eagles is the direct duels they won against the Vienna Capitals and the Black Wings Linz over the course of the season.

Hydro Fehérvár AV19 – Good for a run at any time

Initial situation:
Fehérvár is in 10th place with 54 points from 42 games. 6 games left, three of them at home.

Remaining program:

  • 02/21: away at HC Bozen

  • 02/25: Home game against Red Bull Salzburg

  • 02/27: away at Vienna Capitals

  • 01.03.: Home game against Ferencvaros

Classification: Two home games against direct competitors. Fehérvár has it in his own hands, but must not weaken any further defensively.

Key players:
Anže Kuralt is the internal top scorer and most consistent offensive player. János Hári remains the leader, even if his season so far has been below expectations. Max Gerlach has proven to be an important factor as a new signing with 7 goals already. However, Rasmus Reijola’s performance in goal will be crucial: without stability between the posts, it will be extremely difficult in direct duels.

FTC-Telekom Budapest – outsider with endgame character

Initial situation:
FTC is in 11th place with 50 points from 42 games and has 6 games left. The starting position is the worst, mistakes are hardly allowed.

Remaining program:

  • 02/14: Home game against VSV

  • 02/20: Home game against Graz99ers

  • 02/21: away at Pioneers Vorarlberg

  • 02/21: away at HC Innsbruck

  • 02/27: Home game against Black Wings Linz

  • 01.03.: away to Fehérvár AV19

Classification: Three home games, but almost exclusively against direct competitors. Every game is a final for the league newcomer, who started the season with the modest goal of five wins and is now in the fight for the playoffs.

Key players:
Brady Shaw, Tyler Coulter and Gordie Green are the clear carriers for the Hungarians. All three know the league and have proven their class. Goaltending remains problematic: Bence Bálizs is solid, but not a game-decider and that is exactly what is missing in this phase.

As always, whoever makes it into the top 10 or secures home advantage will be decided on the ice. The Vienna Capitals are currently in pole position and Ferencvaros Budapest certainly has to stretch the most. Exciting games are coming up in the next rounds after the break.

Image: VSV/STEFAN

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Jake Thompson

Jake Thompson

Hello, I'm Jake Thompson, a proud Canadian with a lifelong passion for hockey. Growing up in Toronto, I spent my mornings on the ice and my evenings analyzing every game, which naturally led me to a career in sports journalism. At DUBNetwork, I merge my love for storytelling and the sport to bring you compelling insights from the heart of hockey.