KAC at the top for the first time in 2.5 years

The EC KAC can cheer at the top of the table for the first time since September 18, 2021. Klagenfurt, who back then started the season with two wins back after their last championship season, have not been able to do so for 835 days. The decisive factor in the sold-out afternoon game in the Heidi Horten Arena against Steinbach Black Wings Linz was the opening period, which they won 2:0. The Upper Austrians managed to score twice, but Nick Petersen, who recorded his first multiple-goal game of the season, always had the right answer. After their fourth win in a row and the twelfth game in which they have scored in a row, Klagenfurt are top of the table for the first time in almost 2.5 years. The Black Wings, on the other hand, have already suffered their fifth defeat in the last six games and are therefore in the thick of the fight for the direct play-off places.

Pustertal celebrates derby win

In the first South Tyrolean derby of this calendar year, HC Pustertal celebrated a 4:1 victory in the sold-out Sparkasse Arena in Bolzano, thus catching up with the top six and thus the direct playoff places. However, the home side first got the "ice wave" in Bolzano going with their opening goal, before the Wolves fought back strongly and were ultimately able to come out on top. This spectacle was watched by a total of 6,856 fans - the first time in league history that Bolzano's home arena had been sold out for a regular-season game. The Foxes' fourth defeat in a row dropped them out of the top six, with Pustertal now just four points behind their local rivals.

Overtime victories for Pioneers and Haie

The surprise of the round came from the BEMER Pioneers Vorarlberg, who prevailed against EC Red Bull Salzburg in overtime. With a win after regulation time, the reigning champions could have retaken the lead in the standings, but the Vorarlberg team took control of the game after a scoreless first period and built a 2-0 lead. The "Red Bulls" fought their way into overtime, but had to admit defeat there.

HC TIWAG Innsbruck, meanwhile, prevailed 4:3 after overtime in Asiago. The Sharks had already built up a 3:0 lead in this encounter by the 22nd minute. But the northern Italians fought their way into overtime. There, Corey Mackin decided the game in Innsbruck's favor.

Statement wins from Villach and Ljubljana

EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV celebrated a clear 7:1 victory over bottom of the table Moser Medical Graz99ers in the PULS 24 live game. The Styrians got off to the better start in front of their home crowd and took an early lead through Anthony Salinitri. However, the Villach Eagles were unstoppable thereafter: They took the lead in the first period, controlled the encounter and ultimately celebrated their highest victory of the season. Elias Wallenta scored his first career brace in the win2day ICE Hockey League. With this success, the Villach team made it back into the top 6.

HK SZ Olimpija beat visiting spusu Vienna Capitals 6:3 to make an important statement in the race for the pre-playoff spots. The Slovenians took an early lead in this encounter, but found themselves trailing 1-2 after the first period. In the remaining 40 minutes, the "Dragons" were much more efficient. With this victory, the Slovenians took an important step towards the post-season. They now have a 13-point lead over eleventh-placed Vienna.

win2day ICE Hockey League | 37th round | 06.01.2024 | Results:

EC-KAC - Steinbach Black Wings Linz 4:2 (2:0, 2:2, 0:0)
Referees: SIEGEL, SMETANA, Bärnthaler, Miklic. | Spectators: 4,254

Goals KAC: Postma (4.), Schwinger (7.), Petersen (27., 32./PP1)
Goals BWL: MacKenzie (26th/PP1), Romig (29th)

spusu Vienna Capitals - HK SZ Olimpija 3:6 (2:1,0:4,1:1)
Referees: FICHTNER, HRONSKY, Gatol-Schafranek, Jedlicka. | Spectators: 4890

Goals VIC: Böhm (13.), Kainz (18.), Ticar (52.),
Goals HKO: Predan (3.), Leskinen (23.), Gooch (26.), Mahkovec (27.), Masic (28.), Leskinen (55.)

Moser Medical Graz99ers - EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV 1:7 (1:2,0:2,0:3)
Referees: HUBER, NIKOLIC K., Martin, Sparer. | Spectators: 3.007

G99: Salinitri (2.),
VSV: Desjardins (5.), Rebernig (20.), Wallenta (22., 49.), Wall (28.), Hancock (45.), Lindner (48.),

BEMER Pioneers Vorarlberg - EC Red Bull Salzburg 3:2 O.T. (0:0,1:0,1:2)
Referees: GROZNIK, STERNAT, Nothegger, Wimmler. | Spectators: 2.267

Goals PIV: Owre (39.), Pastujov (48.), van Nes (63./pp1)
Goals RBS: Rymsha (53rd), Lewington (54th),

Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey - HC TIWAG Innsbruck 3:4 O.T. (0:2,2:1,1:0)
Referees: PIRAGIC, TRILAR, Rigoni, Snoj. | Spectators: 2.757

Goals ASH: Rapuzzi (36./ps.), Misley (40.), Gennaro (54.)
Goals HCI: Roy (2., 15.), Peeters (22.), Mackin (61.)

HCB Südtirol Alperia - HC Pustertal Wölfe 1:4 (1:0,0:1,0:3)
Referees: OFNER, ZRNIC, Mantovani, Pardatscher. | Spectators: 6,856

Goals HCB: Halmo (16.),
Goals PUS: Deluca (21./pp1), Andergassen (43.), Petan (50.), Frycklund (59./en.)