Release from 16.03.2026

Graz and Pustertal with first chance to reach the semifinals on Tuesday

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All four quarterfinal series of the win2day ICE Hockey League continue on Tuesday. The Moser Medical Graz99ers and HC Falkensteiner Pustertal could already secure a spot in the semifinals. Additionally, Olimpija Ljubljana has the chance to take a 3–1 series lead against HCB Südtirol Alperia in front of their home crowd. Meanwhile, only the second game is scheduled between Hydro Fehérvár AV19 and EC-KAC.

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Graz will have their first match puck on Tuesday against Villach after winning the first three games 2:1/OT, 5:1, and 3:1. For the first time in league history, the Styrians lead a best-of-7 series 3–0. This would be only the third semifinal appearance for the 99ers overall, and the first since 2019. The VSV has previously been down 0–3 in a best-of-7 series only once – in the 2024 quarterfinal against Bolzano. Although the Eagles won Game 4, Bolzano ultimately prevailed 4:1. The Carinthians also lost in the 2005 semifinals to Vienna 0–3, back when the series was best-of-5.

Pustertal with first match puck against defending champion Salzburg
For only the second time in league history, ten-time champion Salzburg finds themselves down 0–3 in a playoff series. In 2021, they lost the semifinals against KAC 1–4. Now, they face the threat of losing a playoff series without a single win for the first time, after Pustertal won the first three games 3:2/OT, 2:1, and 4:3. In all three games, Salzburg initially took the lead. For Pustertal, this is their first 3–0 lead in a playoff series, and their second semifinal appearance ever is now within reach. In 2024, they had defeated Fehérvár in the seventh quarterfinal game. The only time in league history a 0–3 deficit was overturned was in 2010, when Vienna led Linz 3–0 in the semifinals but eventually lost 3–4.

Ljubljana aims for first home win of the series
So far, all wins in the series between Ljubljana and Bozen have been away victories, leaving the Slovenians ahead 2–1. Olimpija won the opener 3:2/OT, followed by a 2:1 win for Bolzano. In Game 3, Ljubljana overturned a 0–2 deficit in just 38 seconds to secure a 3:2 away victory. A first home win would give them match points. In the regular season, Ljubljana had already won both home games against the South Tyrolean team.

Game 2 between Fehérvár and Klagenfurt
The quarterfinal series between Klagenfurt and Fehérvár began only last Sunday, with EC-KAC winning the opener at home 3:0. Game 2 will now be played in Fehérvár. The Hungarians were unable to win either of their two home games against the KAC in the regular season (3:6, 1:2/SO).

win2day ICE Hockey League:
Tue, 17.03.2026:
19:15: Hydro Fehérvár AV19 – EC-KAC
Referees: HRONSKY, ZRNIC, Puff, Zgonc
Standings in the best-of-7 series: 0:1

19:15: EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV – Moser Medical Graz99ers
Referees: HUBER A., KAINBERGER, Nothegger, Zacherl
Standings in the best-of-7 series: 0:3

19:15: Olimpija Ljubljana – HCB Südtirol Alperia
Referees: FICHTNER, OFNER, Muzsik, Riecken | Live on DAZN Italia
Standings in the best-of-7 series: 2:1

19:45: HC Falkensteiner Pustertal – EC Red Bull Salzburg
Referees: NIKOLIC M., SMETANA, Bedynek, Mantovani
Standings in the best-of-7 series: 3:0

Watch all Playoff Games live on Sporteurope.tv.