Release from 20.02.2026
For the first time in several weeks, the win2day ICE Hockey League featured a full round of action on Friday – and it delivered. EC-KAC celebrated a 2–0 home win over Olimpija Ljubljana in a true playoff-style battle, extending their lead atop the standings. The Vienna Capitals came out on top in a direct battle with the Steinbach Black Wings Linz to punch their ticket to the Pre-Playoffs. The most dramatic game of the night took place in Salzburg, where EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV rallied from two goals down to defeat the defending champions in shootout. Wins also went to the two South Tyrolean sides, while FTC-Telekom stayed alive in the race for the Pre-Playoffs.
EC-KAC edged Olimpija Ljubljana 2–0 in a hard-fought, playoff-type contest to increase their advantage in the win2day ICE Hockey League standings. The opening 40 minutes featured plenty of chances at both ends, but both netminders stood tall and kept the game scoreless.
The intensity ramped up in the third period, highlighted by numerous penalties and a physical edge. The breakthrough finally came on the power play: KAC top scorer Mathias From fired a shot from the right side of the slot to ignite the Heidi Horten Arena. After falling behind, the “Green Dragons” pushed hard for the equalizer, but to no avail. Josh Teves sealed the win with an empty-net goal 35 seconds from time.
With the victory, Klagenfurt extended their lead to four points and secured home-ice advantage for the quarterfinals. Olimpija Ljubljana, meanwhile, dropped to fifth place after being overtaken by HCB Südtirol Alperia.
VSV storm back in Salzburg, win it in shootout
EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV claimed a 4–3 overtime win on the road against EC Red Bull Salzburg, earning two crucial points in the battle for a Pre-Playoff berth. Trailing 1–3, the Carinthians showed resilience, battled back and completed the comeback in OT.
Salzburg came out flying and opened the scoring early through Peter Schneider (3:04). Nash Nienhuis doubled the lead shortly after (6:12). Villach responded quickly as Joel Teasdale ripped a shot into the top corner to cut the deficit to 1–2 (6:57). In the second period, Michael Raffl restored Salzburg’s two-goal cushion at 3–1 (28:04), while VSV were unable to capitalize on their chances.
The momentum shifted in the third. Adam Helewka forced a turnover and made it 2–3 (44:49), before Kevin Hancock buried the equalizer at 50:49. A tense finish saw the crossbar deny Salzburg, sending the game into overtime.
The winner came in the extra frame: Nikita Scherbak struck at 65:00 to complete the comeback and hand VSV a 4–3 road victory.
Vienna Capitals clinch Pre-Playoff berth
The Vienna Capitals secured their place in the Pre-Playoffs with a 4–1 road win over the Steinbach Black Wings Linz. After conceding first, the Caps turned the game around with a composed performance.
Jonathan Oschgan gave Linz the lead at 14:51. Vienna answered before the intermission, as Randy Gazzola tied the game with a point shot at 17:56.
The Capitals took control in the second period. Simon Bourque finished off a quick transition play to make it 2–1 at 27:35. Goaltender Sebastian Wraneschitz, starting in place of Evan Cowley, delivered a strong performance and shut the door during key stretches.
Zane Franklin extended the lead early in the third (42:50). Vienna stayed disciplined defensively, even killing off a Linz power play without allowing a shot on goal. Carter Souch put the game away with an empty-netter at 58:20.
With 64 points, the Capitals sit seventh in the standings and have officially locked in a Pre-Playoff spot.
Home wins for South Tyrolean teams
HCB Südtirol Alperia recorded a convincing 4–0 home victory over the Moser Medical Graz99ers to stay within reach of the league’s top three. Brice Misley opened the scoring at 5:34, and Brett McClure doubled the lead on the power play late in the first period (18:36).
The middle frame remained scoreless before Matteo Gennaro (46:58) and Luca Frigo (47:50) struck early in the third to put the game out of reach. Despite the loss, Graz remain in second place in the standings.
HC Falkensteiner Pustertal skated to a 4–2 home win against Hydro Fehérvár AV19. Csanád Erdély stunned the hosts just 21 seconds in (0:21), but Tommy Purdeller responded late in the first (18:46).
Erdély netted his second of the night at 28:45 to restore Fehérvár’s lead. Henry Bowlby tied the game on the power play at 42:56, before Cole Bardreau put Pustertal ahead for the first time at 48:15. Jonathon Blum iced the game with a late tally at 59:35.
Pustertal remain within striking distance of the top five, trailing Ljubljana by just two points with a game in hand.
FTC-Telekom stay in the hunt
FTC-Telekom defeated the Pioneers Vorarlberg 4–2 on the road, sweeping the season series and keeping their Pre-Playoff hopes alive.
After conceding first, Jussi Tammela tied the game early in the second period (21:13). Aaro Kestilä then gave the visitors their first lead at 36:58.
Even after Vorarlberg made it 2–2, the Budapest side stayed composed. Tammela struck again at 49:13 to restore the lead and added an empty-net goal at 58:50 to seal the 4–2 final. Structured defensive play, strong penalty killing and clinical finishing secured three important points. FTC now trail their rivals from Székesfehérvár by just four points, with another Hungarian derby still to come.
win2day ICE Hockey League, Fr, 20.02.2026
EC-KAC – Olimpija Ljubljana 2:0 (0:0, 0:0, 2:0)
Referees: K. NIKOLIC, M. NIKOLIC, Bärnthaler, Muzsik
Goals KAC: From M. (52:34) PP, Teves J. (59:25) EN
EC Red Bull Salzburg – EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV 3:4 S.O. (2:1, 1:0, 0:2, 0:1)
Referees: STERNAT, ZRNIC, E. Seewald, J. Seewald
Goals RBS: Schneider P. (3:04), Nienhuis N. (6:12), Raffl M. (28:04)
Goals VSV: Teasdale J. (6:57), Helewka A. (44:49), Hancock K. (50:49), Scherbak N. (65:00)
Steinbach Black Wings Linz – Vienna Capitals 1:4 (1:1, 0:1, 0:2)
Referees: OFNER, PIRAGIC, Durmis, Konc
Goals BWL: Oschgan J. (14:51)
Goals VIC: Gazzola R. (17:56), Bourque S. (27:35), Franklin Z. (42:50), Souch C. (58:20)
Pioneers Vorarlberg – FTC-Telekom 2:4 (1:0, 0:2, 1:2)
Referees: R. HUBER, SMETANA, Bedynek, Divis
Goals PIV: Roehl L. (14:17), Erne L. (44:45)
Goals FTC: Tammela J. (21:13), Kestila A. (36:58), Tammela J. (49:13), Tammela J. (58:50)
HCB Südtirol Alperia – Moser Medical Graz99ers 4:0 (2:0, 0:0, 2:0)
Referees: A. HUBER, KAINBERGER, Mantovani, Pardatscher
Goals HCB: Misley B. (5:34), McClure B. (18:36) PP, Gennaro M. (46:58), Frigo L. (47:50)
Goals G99: –
HC Falkensteiner Pustertal – Hydro Fehervar AV 19 4:2 (1:1, 0:1, 3:0)
Referees: GROZNIK, SCHAUER, Fleischmann, Zgonc
Goals HCP: Purdeller T. (18:46), Bowbly H. (42:56) PP, Bardreau C. (48:15), Blum J. (59:35)
Goals AVS: Erdely C. (0:21), Erdely C. (28:45)
Foto ©EC-KAC/Wolfgang Jannach