ÖEL: Kufstein wins the derby, KSV wins the WEV and ATSE defeats leader Gmunden!

Last matchday in the Austrian Ice Hockey League in 2025: In the West Division, HC Kufstein celebrated a narrow 3-2 victory in the district derby against EHC Kundl in front of over 950 fans at the end of the year. The Wattens Penguins challenged league leaders EHC Lustenau at home, but in the end had to accept a 3-1 defeat. SC Hohenems didn’t show any weakness in their 6-2 win in the derby against the Dornbirn Bulldogs in front of over 1,100 fans. In the East Division, ATSE Graz won sensationally 4:3 after a shootout thriller against leader Sharks Gmunden. The KSV Kangaroos won away at WEV 3-2, also after a penalty shootout.

The Austrian Ice Hockey League ended 2025 with a bang in the West Division. The HC Kufstein met in the Eisarena Kufstein in front of over 950 fans in the always explosive district derby for the fourth and final time in the regular round EHC customer. The Dragons had two power plays in the first few minutes, but didn’t score a goal, instead Kundl goalie Jakub Kostelny really warmed up.

The hosts then continued to act superiorly, Kundl held on until almost four minutes before the end of the period. After a nice combination, Aleski Airaksinen scored from the slot to make it 1-0 for Kufstein (17th). A minute and a half later, Kufstein followed up: Manuel Eder shot and Philipp Sappl easily deflected the goal to make it 2-0, the goal was attributed to Manuel Eder (18th).

In the second period, Tomáš Vildumetz made it 3-0 (26′) after a cross pass from a tight angle. Just ten seconds later, Raphael Bruimann took advantage of a faceoff in the left faceoff circle and reduced the score to 1:3 for Kundl (26′). With each change the derby became more intense and even more duel. Late in the middle third the match suddenly became a thriller: Lion Ramoser surprised HCK keeper Thomas Pfarrmaier from a tight angle on the goal line and made it 2:3 (39′). In the final section, Kundl was unable to turn the game around; the Dragons maintained their narrow one-goal lead, celebrated their third win in the fourth district derby and cemented third place in the table.

EHC Lustenau prevails against Wattens Penguins

They also scored for the fourth and final time WSG Wattens Penguins in the basic round on the league leaders EHC Lustenau. After exactly 24 seconds, Vorarlberg were ahead: Finnish newcomer Riku Tiainen completed a quick attack from close range to make it 1-0 (1st). Lustenau waited patiently for further chances, after another quick attack Martin Grabher Meier placed a well-placed shot to make it 2-0 for the Lions (9th).

Early in the second period, the Penguins cut the lead to 1-2. Mikus Mintautiskis returned a pass from Fabian Nußbaumer over the line to score (22′). Wattens fought doggedly and, together with keeper Jakob Sprachmann, held on defensively against the West leader from the Ländle until the end.

In the end, Wattens head coach Fabian Hechenberger took full risk and pulled goalie Sprachmann. Lustenau’s goalgetter Chris D’Alvise pushed the puck into the empty net for a 3-1 decision (59′). The Vorarlbergers celebrated their 14th win in the 14th game.

SC Hohenems wins derby against the Dornbirner Bulldogs

The second district derby this weekend in the West Division was played on Saturday Dornbirner EC Bulldogs and the SC Samina Hohenems in front of over 1,100 fans in the Dornbirn exhibition stadium. The Steinbocks got off to a dream start: Lukas Fritz made it 1-0 for the Ems team from close range after a wonderful backhand pass from Fabian Mandlburger (2nd).

The guests set the tone in a brisk game and extended their lead, Patrick Spannring shot from just behind the blue line to make it 2-0 (11th).

23 seconds had passed in the second third when Tobias Metzler-Wagner was able to reduce the score to 1:2 (21′). From the face-off, the guests moved into the attacking third and Leon Schmeiser made it 3-1 just ten seconds later (21st). Just after halftime of the game, Lukas Fritz increased the score to 4:1 for the ice skating club (31st).

Almost four minutes later, Christian Haidinger put the ball into the net to make it 5-1 (35th). In the final third, Mathias Hofer grabbed the puck when he was outnumbered, ran up and away and reduced the lead to 2:5 for the Bulldogs (52nd). There was nothing more possible for the Dornbirn team, 56 seconds before the final siren Julian Payr made the final score 6-2 (60th).

East Division:

ATSE Graz beats Sharks Gmunden in the shootout thriller

The ATSE Graz expected to be leaders in the East Division on Saturday UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden in the Liebenau bunker. The Upper Austrians were the dominant team at the start, with the home team taking the lead. After a quick attack from the left, Simon Helm lifted the disc into the net with his backhand to make it 1-0 for the ATSE (6th).

The Haie vom Traunsee continued to set the tone despite the deficit, the Styrians were primarily busy with defensive work, but were extremely efficient in front of the opponent’s goal: After overcoming a majority, Maximilian Schwarz made an attack from the right and played ideally to Niki Zierer, who made it 2-0 for ATSE Graz with a well-placed shot (13th).

Towards the end of the first third, the Graz team had the majority, one phase of which was even 5:3 superior, and no more hits were scored until the first siren.

In the second period, the league leaders tried to get back into the match and succeeded in a power play: Marc-André Dorion curled the puck into the net from just behind the blue line to make it 1-2 (23rd). The Sharks were efficient in the power play: Once again it was Marc-André Dorion who put the puck into the net from the right faceoff circle to equalize 2-2 (36th).

The game reached crunch time early in the final period. With a majority, the Graz team besieged the Gmunden goal and Mathias Werkl finally worked the puck into the goal guarded by Tobias Windhofer for a 3-2 lead (46th). The defending champions hit back, Simon Huemer equalized 3-3 with a beautiful shot (51′).

Both teams were unable to score the winning goal in regular time, the match went into overtime and ultimately a penalty shootout. Niki Zierer, Florian Murg and Simon Helm scored there for the ATSE, while only Hubert Berger was successful for the Sharks. The Graz team celebrated a sensational 4-3 win after a penalty shootout against the reigning champions.

Kapfenberg also defeated WEV after a penalty shootout

It was only the second time this season that the team cruised in the East Division on Saturday Vienna Ice Skating Club and the KSV Kangaroos the thugs, for the first time in the open air in front of the Vienna Konzerthaus. In the afternoon, the Viennese announced Rafael Rotter’s homecoming via social media, and the Viennese ice hockey star was already in the WEV line-up in the evening against Kapfenberger.

Right at the start, the hosts were unable to take advantage of their first advantage. Both teams had to struggle with absences due to illness, with the Mürztal team missing player-coach Kris Reinthaler. The Kapfenbergers were ahead after just under ten minutes: After a defense from WEV keeper Moritz Merkader, Daniel Oberkofler scored from the slot to make it 1-0 (10th).

The Styrians followed up, Maximilian Ramsbacher got the puck after a faceoff and made it 2-0 (16th). The WEV came back into the game with a shorthander: Rupert Fichtinger defeated KSV goalie Oliver Zirngast after winning the target while outnumbered to make it 1:2 (19th).

Both teams continued to engage in open and intense exchanges of blows in the second half. The Kangaroos acted very disciplined defensively, WEV only had a few good opportunities to equalize. Goalie Oliver Zirngast was good at the back, and his counterpart Moritz Merkader also showed a good performance. So after 40 minutes, Kapfenberg’s narrow one-goal lead remained.

The Styrians held on to 2-1 for a long time in the final third. In the end, WEV head coach Philipp Ullrich pulled in goalie Merkader and Lukas Pohl scored after a wonderful cross pass from Jan Billa to make it 2-2 (58th), the game went into overtime and then into the ultimate showdown called a penalty shootout. Lukas Fassmann and Christoph Draschkowitz scored for the Kapfenbergers, the Mürztalers narrowly won 3-2 after a tough fight at Heumarkt.

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. HDK Maribor delay. A new date will be announced.

Ö Ice Hockey League – Division West:

Ö Ice Hockey League – Division EAST:

ATSE Graz vs. UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden 4:3 nP (2:0,0:2,1:1,0:0,1:0)
Sat., December 27, 2025, 5:30 p.m., Gmunden Graz Merkur Ice Stadium (Hall A)
Goal scorers ATSE Graz: Simon Helm (05:22 mins), Nikolaus Zierer (12:28 mins), Mathias Werkl (45:56 mins/PP1), Florian Murg (65:00 mins/decisive penalty)
Goal scorers Sharks Gmunden: Marc-André Dorion (22:42 mins/PP1, 35:12 mins/PP1), Simon Huemer (50:51 mins)

Vienna Ice Skating Club vs. KSV Kangaroos 2:3 nP (1:2.0:0.1:0.0:0.0:1)
Sat., December 27, 2025, 7:00 p.m., WEV Arena Heumarkt
Goalscorers Vienna Ice Skating Club: Rupert Fichtinger (18:14 mins/SH1), Lukas Pohl (57:56 mins)
Goal scorers KSV Kangaroos: Daniel Oberkofler (09:43 mins), Maximilian Ramsbacher (15:10 mins), Lukas Fassmann (65:00 mins/decisive penalty)

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. HDK Maribor delay. New date follows.

www.eishockey.at, Pic: Hannah Schneider