Carinthian derby on Boxing Day

Bet-at-home ICE Hockey League | 26.12.2021 | Schedule:
Sun, 26.12.2021, 4.30 pm: EC-KAC – EC GRAND Immo VSV
Referees: PIRAGIC, TRILAR, Hribar, Zgonc. | >> LIVE AUF PULS24.AT/EISHOCKEY <<
The first round after Christmas brings a Carinthian derby. For the first time since 2013, the traditional local clash between EC-KAC and EC GRAND Immo VSV, which has been scheduled several times until the beginning of January, will be played on boxing day. In the last derby on December 26th, Klagenfurt prevailed 3:2. The "Rotjacken" also won the first meeting this season, dominating Villach 4:0 on December 10th. On their own ice, the reigning champions are without defeat and loss of points in 13 consecutive derbies. The last VSV derby win in Klagenfurt dates back to February 2nd, 2016 (5:1). However, the current home record does not speak much in favor of the KAC, only one of the last five home games was won. Especially the comebacks of Paul Postma and Nick Petersen, who returned from injury, did not have much impact. Matt Fraser, who scored 0.88 points per game last year, has also gone five games without a scoring point. Villach enters after two close home losses. The use of KAC veteran Thomas Koch is questionable.

Sun, 26.12.2021, 5.30 pm: Steinbach Black Wings Linz – Moser Medical Graz99ers
Referees: OFNER, SCHAUER, Durmis, Kis-Kiraly. | >> PPV-Livestream <<
The Steinbach Black Wings Linz achieved their first success after seven defeats in a row with a 4:3 away win in Villach on Tuesday. Nevertheless, the Upper Austrians, with Kristler and Brucker still missing, are at the bottom of the table with a points average of 0.897. The Moser Medical Graz99ers are the hottest team in the league next to league leader EC Red Bull Salzburg and have been unbeaten for five games, celebrating the last four wins in a row also away from home. Especially defensively, the Styrians, for whom Mike Zalewski will probably make his comeback, but Clemens Krainz will be out with an upper-body injury, are currently performing, as they have only had to concede two goals per game during their streak 3,24 so far this season. Neo-goalie Christian Engstrand is still unbeaten with Graz, holding a GAA of 1,67 and a save percentage of 94,1% after three games.

Sun, 26.12.2021, 5.30 pm: HC TESLA Orli Znojmo – Hydro Fehérvár AV19
Referees: FICHTNER, SOOS, Gatol, Muzsik. | >> PPV-Livestream <<
Hydro Fehérvár AV19 visits HC TESLA Orli Znojmo - and wants to win the second duel of the season (5:1 on December 3rd). The recently large lazaretto of the third-placed team from Hungary is thinning out more and more. Henrik Nilsson made a strong comeback with two assists in the 3:2 home win against Vienna after a two-month injury layoff. Against Znojmo, Fehérvár will have to improve its undercard play (77,7%), which has not been convincing yet this year, in order to stand up to the best power play team in the league (27,5%). Fehérvár is currently unbeaten in five games against Znojmo.

Sun, 26.12.2021, 5.30 pm: Dornbirn Bulldogs – HCB Südtirol Alperia
Referees: BERNEKER, HUBER, Martin, Rigoni. | >> PPV-Livestream <<
The Dornbirn Bulldogs have temporarily put an end to their negative trend, winning their last two games. In the 5:4 OT win in Linz, the Suikkanen squad showed morale until the last second, in Innsbruck they acted sovereign with 5:1. Nevertheless, they are without success at home for eleven games. In home games against HCB Südtirol Alperia, victories have alternated in each of the last ten games - this time, it would be Dornbirn's turn. In the season so far, there has been an away win for both teams. In both games against the "Foxes", DEC forward Vladimir Ruzicka scored, he has not managed to do that against any other team. Bolzano remains fifth in the standings, but has won only one of its four games under Greg Ireland recently. On Tuesday, HCB let slip away a two-goal lead in the derby. Especially struggling on PK (73,7% | #12), as the "Foxes" conceded six of their last eight goals when shorthanded.

Sun, 26.12.2021, 5.30 pm: HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie – EC Red Bull Salzburg
Referees: NIKOLIC K., RUETZ, Mantovani, Sparer. | >> PPV-Livestream <<
bet-at-home ICE Hockey League leaders EC Red Bull Salzburg travels to HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie. It is the lone duel between two teams from the top 6 on this gameday. The "Red Bulls" have now established themselves at the top: they have won their last five games all after regulation, scoring an average of five goals. The last game without a point win was on November 2nd (1:4 vs. HCB). Innsbruck has mostly been a good ground for the six-time champions as well: Three of the last four games were won, two duels of which with a six-goal lead. Salzburg is also the best road team in the league, the last defeat on foreign ice dates back to October 26th in Znojmo (1:3). Especially Raffl - Nissner - Schneider, on Tuesday against EC-KAC each player scored three points, is currently unstoppable. Innsbruck has scored only one point out of the last nine possible points (SO defeat @VSV) - but maybe the "Haie" will get the necessary self-confidence to succeed against the leader in the duel with Znojmo on December 23.

Sun, 26.12.2021, 6.00 pm: HC Pustertal Wölfe – HK SZ Olimpija
Referees: NIKOLIC M., VIRTA, Pardatscher, Weiss. | >> PPV-Livestream <<
The last game of the round sees the second duel of the season between the two ICE newcomers. HK SZ Olimpija travels to the Intercable Arena for the first time to HC Pustertal Wölfe. The "Dragons" won the first duel in Slovenia with 5:3. The season so far has been different for the two teams: while Ljubljana is constantly in the top-3, the team from Bruneck had a hard time getting off the start but currently the tide has turned: The "Wolves" have won five of their last six games, and on Tuesday they turned around the derby after trailing by two goals. The Slovenians have lost four of their last six league games but are still in second place.