Direct battle for third place and long-distance duel at the top

Vienna Capitals vs. EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV
The Vienna Capitals host EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV in a key matchup in the battle for the Pre-Playoff positions. Both teams are tightly packed in the middle of the standings, but they enter the game with very different recent form.

Despite their most recent loss against Salzburg, Vienna showed stability around the turn of the year and collected points consistently over the past weeks. With 42 points, the Capitals currently sit in tenth place, with just four points separating positions seven through eleven. As a result, upcoming games against direct competitors carry significant importance. Vienna has been particularly solid at home of late, winning five of their last seven home games since the coaching change in November. A key factor remains their power play, which ranks among the most efficient in the league.

VSV, meanwhile, travels to Vienna amid ongoing struggles. Following their latest loss in Linz, the Villachers slipped to ninth place. Since the end of November, they have recorded just two wins, and they have been waiting for a road victory since late November. Defensive stability has been a major issue in recent weeks, especially while shorthanded.

EC-KAC vs. HC Falkensteiner Pustertal
EC-KAC faces HC Falkensteiner Pustertal on Monday. While the Carinthians aim to further solidify their strong position in the race for the Top Six, Pustertal continues to search for consistency.

KAC returned to the win column over the weekend with a convincing road victory in Innsbruck after suffering two narrow losses, bringing their total to 71 points. The Klagenfurters remain firmly on track for early qualification for the Top Six. At home, Austria’s record champion has been particularly reliable, collecting points in each of their last 13 home games, supported by a strong defensive structure and excellent penalty killing in front of their own fans.

Pustertal, on the other hand, started the new year with setbacks. Two home losses caused the South Tyroleans to slip to sixth place in the standings. They have managed just three wins in their last ten league games, and recent road performances also point to a negative trend. After a strong start away from home earlier in the season, the Wolves have picked up only a few points on the road since late October. Injuries continue to sideline several regular players, while KAC could see additional lineup options through possible returns.

Hydro Fehérvár AV19 vs. Moser Medical Graz99ers
In the long-distance battle for first place, the Graz99ers head into the game day with plenty of momentum. Five straight wins, including an impressive road victory in Ljubljana, underline the Styrians’ current form. With one game in hand, Graz trails EC-KAC only narrowly, while Salzburg has already fallen slightly behind the leading duo with the same number of games played.

In Székesfehérvár, however, Graz faces a venue that has proven difficult in recent years. The 99ers have not collected a single point at Fehérvár since October 2022. The Hungarian side has shown mixed results lately: Strong home performances were followed by heavy road losses, before Fehérvár opened the new year with a win in the Hungarian derby.

Olimpija Ljubljana vs. FTC-Telekom Budapest
Olimpija Ljubljana welcomes FTC-Telekom Budapest on Monday. The Slovenian side endured a difficult start to the new year, suffering two defeats. Overall, they have managed just two wins from their last seven games.

FTC-Telekom’s recent record is even more concerning. The Hungarian club has lost its last five games and seven of its last eight overall. As a result, the league newcomer slipped out of the Top Ten, although ninth place remains just one point away.

The two previous meetings this season both went Olimpija’s way, with the most recent matchup requiring overtime to decide the winner.

Pioneers Vorarlberg vs. HC TIWAG Innsbruck – Die Haie
In their first home game of the 2026 calendar year, Pioneers Vorarlberg host HC TIWAG Innsbruck – Die Haie in the third West Derby of the season. Both previous encounters were won by Innsbruck: The Tyroleans edged out a narrow victory in Feldkirch on opening night, before claiming the second meeting in overtime. Vorarlberg is still searching for its first derby win of the season.

This time, however, the Pioneers enter the matchup with confidence. A narrow road win in Brunico against HC Falkensteiner Pustertal provided a boost and moved Vorarlberg six points clear of Innsbruck in the standings. The Tyroleans, meanwhile, have suffered five consecutive losses and are looking to turn things around.

Additional lineup options could be available for the hosts with the return of Luca Erne, who rejoined team practices over the weekend and could be in line for his first appearance. Despite the differing form curves, another tight contest is expected, not least due to the closely contested season series so far.

HCB Südtirol Alperia vs. EC Red Bull Salzburg
When HCB Südtirol Alperia hosts EC Red Bull Salzburg on Monday, two of the win2day ICE Hockey League’s most in-form teams meet in a direct battle for third place. Salzburg opens the new year on the road in Bolzano, facing a direct rival in the standings.

The Red Bulls arrive riding a ten-game winning streak and currently sit third with 64 points. Bolzano follows just one point behind, with two games in hand, having won seven of its last eight contests. The season series so far reflects the balance between the teams, with each side recording an away victory.

While Salzburg has impressed with depth, cohesion and the league’s most stable defense, the Foxes have been outstanding since the coaching change. Under head coach Doug Shedden, Bolzano has lost just one of seven games since mid-December.

Both teams also enter the matchup with momentum: HCB Südtirol claimed the South Tyrol derby in Brunico on Sunday, while Salzburg recorded a convincing win against Vienna. Added intrigue comes from a personal milestone, as Salzburg captain Thomas Raffl will skate in his 1,000th career game in the win2day ICE Hockey League — becoming only the second player in league history to reach that mark. >> Find all details regarding this milestone here

January 5, 2026 – win2day ICE Hockey League

7:15 PM
Vienna Capitals vs. EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV
Referees: Nagy, Piragic, Nothegger, Riecken

7:15 PM
EC-KAC vs. HC Falkensteiner Pustertal
Referees: Smetana, Sternat, Bedynek, Puff

7:15 PM
Hydro Fehérvár AV19 vs. Moser Medical Graz99ers
Referees: Fichtner, Hronsky, Gatol, Konc

7:15 PM
Olimpija Ljubljana vs. FTC-Telekom Budapest
Referees: Groznik, Ofner, Muzsik, Wimmler

7:30 PM
Pioneers Vorarlberg vs. HC TIWAG Innsbruck – Die Haie
Referees: Kainberger, Nikolic M., Martin, Sparer

7:45 PM
HCB Südtirol Alperia vs. EC Red Bull Salzburg
Referees: Nikolic K., Seewald, Rigoni, Zacherl

All games live on Sporteurope.TV