Release from 05.12.2025
EC-KAC climbed to the top of the win2day ICE Hockey League standings for the first time this season with a victory in the Round 27 headliner. The Klagenfurt side edged EC Red Bull Salzburg in a rematch of last season’s Finals, ending a seven-game losing streak against the reigning champions. The Vienna Capitals, FTC-Telekom and the Pioneers Vorarlberg also celebrated upset wins – the latter powered by a game-winning goal from Michael Kernberger, who scored in his Pioneers debut against his former team. Olimpija Ljubljana recorded a win as well, defeating EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV in the only matchup between two Top-6 teams.
EC-KAC reached the top of the standings thanks to a 2:1 win in Salzburg. After seven straight losses to the champions across seasons, KAC finally struck back. However, it was the hosts who made the better start, taking a third-minute lead through Florian Baltram. Klagenfurt answered within the first ten minutes when Mario Kempe equalized on the powerplay. In the second period, Matt Fraser put KAC ahead – scoring what would stand as the game-winning goal. Goaltender Sebastian Dahm shut the door in the final frame, turning aside the Salzburg surge and securing both the win and first place.
FTC-Telekom Beats Pustertal Again
FTC-Telekom Budapest remains a nightmare matchup for HC Falkensteiner Pustertal this season. The league newcomers faced the South Tyroleans for the third time – and claimed their third victory. Pustertal suffered back-to-back losses for only the second time this season, and on both occasions FTC-Telekom was the opponent delivering the second defeat. While the Hungarians won the previous meetings narrowly, this time they delivered a blowout performance. FTC needed only eight minutes to go up 2:0. In the second period they extended the lead to 3:0 before Pustertal got on the board. The middle frame ended 5:2, with Ádám Mihalik already completing his hat trick. Budapest ultimately secured a 7:3 win and moved up to seventh place in the standings.
Ljubljana Defeats VSV
In the only clash between two Top-6 teams, Olimpija Ljubljana earned a convincing 6:3 victory over EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV. After a cautious, scoreless opening period, the hosts exploded in the second. Ljubljana struck four times within ten minutes and took full control of the game. The home side extended the lead to 5:0 early in the third, before Villach mounted a late push and cut the deficit to 3:5. However, the comeback ultimately fell short. Olimpija closed out a 6:3 win and climbed back into third place.
Kernberger Lifts Pioneers Past Black Wings
The Pioneers Vorarlberg picked up a big road win over the Steinbach Black Wings Linz. The home team struck first, as Graham Knott opened the scoring with a powerplay goal in the sixth minute. The Pioneers responded quickly, turning the game around. Kevin Macierzynski scored twice and, together with Collin Adams, built a 3:1 lead by the 30th minute. Linz battled back and tied the game midway through the third. Just 90 seconds after the equalizer, Michael Kernberger – in his Pioneers debut and against his former club – buried the game-winning goal. Vorarlberg added another late marker, sealing a 5:3 victory and pulling level in the standings with idle Innsbruck.
Caps Earn Clear Win Over Bolzano
After three straight defeats, the Vienna Capitals returned to the win column. The Caps earned revenge against HCB Südtirol Alperia, who had beaten them just a week earlier. Vienna’s offense looked far more dangerous this time and built a 2:0 lead in the opening period. Jeremy Gregoire added a pair of goals, split between the second and third periods, to make it 4:0 and effectively put the game away. The Capitals skated to a 4:1 win and moved back within reach of the Top-10.
During the game, the Capitals also announced the signing of Scott Kosmachuk. Full details can be found here.
Results & Goal Scorers (Round 27)
FTC-Telekom vs HC Falkensteiner Pustertal 7:3 (2:0, 3:2, 2:1)
Referees: HLAVATY, SMETANA, Gatol, Moidl
FTC goals: Mihalik (1:36 EQ; 29:31 EQ; 37:11 PP1), Tammela (8:07 EQ), Bardeau (32:13 PP1), Coulter (46:51 PP2), Shaw (57:48 EQ)
HCP goals: Deluca (36:35 EQ), Purdeller (57:37 EQ)
Vienna Capitals vs HCB Südtirol Alperia 4:1 (2:0, 1:0, 1:1)
Referees: NIKOLIC M., SCHAUER, Bärnthaler, Weiss
VIC goals: Kromp (12:48 PP1), Gazzola (14:37 EQ), Gregoire (25:17 PP1; 40:31 EQ)
HCB goals: Brunner (53:51 EQ)
EC Red Bull Salzburg vs EC-KAC 1:2 (1:1, 0:1, 0:0)
Referees: OFNER, SEEWALD, Bedynek, Riecken
RBS goals: Baltram (2:23 EQ)
KAC goals: Kempe (8:29 PP1), Fraser (35:07 EQ)
Steinbach Black Wings Linz vs Pioneers Vorarlberg 3:5 (1:2, 1:1, 1:2)
Referees: PIRAGIC, SOOS, Hribar, Jeram
BWL goals: Knott (5:28 PP1; 50:26 EQ), Lebler (30:29 EQ)
PIV goals: Macierzynski (6:30 SH1; 29:55 PP1), Adams (13:39 EQ; 59:32 EQ), Kernberger (48:56 EQ)
Olimpija Ljubljana vs EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV 6:3 (0:0, 4:0, 2:3)
Referees: GEBEI, STERNAT, Muzsik, Puff
OLL goals: Mahkovec (30:33 PP1), Boychuk (35:04 EQ), Petan (37:00 EQ), Sodja (39:33 EQ), Quince (52:33 EQ), Pance (58:09 EQ)
VSV goals: Kulda (53:22 EQ), MacPherson (55:32 PP1), Katic (55:50 EQ)