Key Back-to-Back Games for VSV and Capitals within 24 Hours

Home Double for VSV against Salzburg and Fehérvár
EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV face a decisive home double-header in the win2day ICE Hockey League this weekend. Following a 5–4 overtime road win at HC Bolzano, the Villach side will host EC Red Bull Salzburg on Friday (7:15 p.m.), before welcoming Hydro Fehérvár AV19 to the Stadthalle on Saturday (7:15 p.m.).

After 35 games, the Eagles sit in 11th place, just outside the Pre-Playoff positions. The gap to the Top 10 is only two points, adding further importance to both home games. Salzburg travel to Carinthia in third place overall and continue to boast the league’s strongest defensive record. Both previous meetings between VSV and Salzburg this season were decided in overtime, with Salzburg prevailing on each occasion. After a 12-game winning streak, Salzburg recently suffered their first defeat again, but still remain third in the standings.

Saturday’s home game against Fehérvár sees VSV take on a direct competitor in the battle for the Top 10. The Hungarian side, who are also in action against EC-KAC on Friday, recently suffered a narrow defeat against Bolzano. In the two previous meetings between VSV and AVS this season, the road team emerged victorious on both occasions.

Vienna Capitals Face Crucial Western Road Trip
The Vienna Capitals are set for two crucial road games this weekend in the fight for the Pre-Playoff spots. On Friday, the Capitals visit the Pioneers Vorarlberg (7:30 p.m.), followed by a Saturday matchup against bottom-placed HC TIWAG Innsbruck (5:30 p.m.). Heading into the final quarter of the regular season, Vienna sit tenth in the standings with 46 points. The race for the Pre-Playoff positions remains tight, with a six-point deficit to seventh place while holding one game in hand. Last week, the Capitals collected four points from three games, with the run ending in a clear road loss in Graz.

While the Pioneers currently sit second from bottom, they have recently impressed on home ice, recording several wins against direct rivals. The season series against Vienna has been evenly contested so far, although the Capitals have not won in the Vorarlberghalle for more than two years.

On Saturday, Vienna will face Innsbruck, who are rooted to the bottom of the table and recently endured a lengthy losing streak. Recent head-to-head results clearly favour the Capitals, who have won the last six meetings against the Tyroleans.

Back-to-Back Road Games for the Moser Medical Graz99ers
The Moser Medical Graz99ers are set for an intense western road trip in the win2day ICE Hockey League. The Styrians will visit HC TIWAG Innsbruck on Friday (7:15 p.m.), before travelling to face the Pioneers Vorarlberg on Saturday (7:30 p.m.).

These two games conclude an especially demanding stretch for Graz: ten games in 23 days defined the so-called “Winter Edition” around Christmas and the turn of the year. The final chapter is a road trip of approximately 1,400 kilometres with two games played within 24 hours.

On the ice, the Styrians have been in excellent form. In the eight games played during this stretch, they recorded seven wins and suffered just one defeat. With 19 of a possible 24 points, Graz remain within striking distance of the top of the standings and firmly in the race for the coveted Champions Hockey League places.

League Leaders KAC Host Fehérvár AV19
EC-KAC enter their home game against Hydro Fehérvár AV19 as leaders of the win2day ICE Hockey League standings. The Klagenfurt side have picked up points in 14 of their last 15 league games and top the table both in total points and average points per game.

Before their recent one-week break, the Red Jackets secured a 3–2 road win in the Carinthian derby in Villach. At home, KAC have been highly consistent throughout the season, failing to collect points in only two of their 17 home games. In addition to the league’s strongest even-strength offense, defensive stability has been a key success factor, with Klagenfurt recently conceding significantly fewer goals than statistical models would suggest.

Fehérvár travel to Carinthia in seventh place and remain on course for the Pre-Playoffs. After a strong start to the year with three consecutive wins, the Hungarians recently suffered two home defeats. Away from home, Fehérvár have struggled at times this season, although they did record a convincing derby win in Budapest in early January.

Pustertal Host Linz with Confidence
HC Falkensteiner Pustertal head into their home game against the Steinbach Black Wings Linz full of confidence. A recent road win against Red Bull Salzburg provided a boost, which the Wolves will look to carry into the Intercable Arena as they aim to consolidate their position in the direct Playoff places. Linz, meanwhile, have experienced fluctuating results throughout the season. In recent weeks, however, the Upper Austrians have shown greater consistency, collecting important points against direct rivals and working their way into a solid position in the Pre-Playoff race.

The season series between Pustertal and Linz has been closely contested, highlighting the importance of home-ice advantage. After a 4–1 home win for the South Tyroleans in October, two narrow victories followed for the respective home teams.

Offensively, Linz remain among the more productive teams in the league, but have shown defensive vulnerabilities. With the recent signing of Yohann Auvitu, the Steel Wings strengthened their blue line in a targeted move.

Bolzano Host FTC-Telekom
With their recent points against Fehérvár, Bolzano have drawn level with Salzburg in the standings. Both teams now sit on 69 points, although Salzburg have played one more game. Several important fixtures remain for the South Tyroleans before the Olympic break, with direct Playoff qualification firmly in focus.

Ferencváros arrive in South Tyrol in ninth place and are right in the middle of the battle for the Pre-Playoff positions. After a negative run around the turn of the year, the Hungarians have recently returned to the points, although they suffered a setback in a direct matchup against Linz. In the three previous meetings this season, Bolzano came out on top each time, albeit often by narrow margins. Offensively, Brady Shaw carries much of the responsibility for Ferencváros, while defensively and in special teams play the Hungarians have shown vulnerabilities.

win2day ICE Hockey League, Friday, 16.01.2026:
19:15 EC-KAC – Hydro Fehérvár AV19
Referees: NIKOLIC M., UNTERWEGER, Hribar, Weiss

19:15 EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV – EC Red Bull Salzburg
Referees: KAINBERGER, PIRAGIC, Dummermuth-Haas, Puff

19:15 HC TIWAG Innsbruck – Moser Medical Graz99ers
Referees: NIKOLIC K., STERNAT, Martin, Strimitzer

19:30 Pioneers Vorarlberg – Vienna Capitals
Referees: SCHAUER, SMETANA, Pardatscher, Sparer

19:45 HC Falkensteiner Pustertal – Steinbach Black Wings Linz
Referees: GROZNIK, REZEK, Jeram, Zgonc

19:45 HCB Südtirol Alperia – FTC-Telekom
Referees: HUBER A., WINKLER, Fleischmann, Rigoni

win2day ICE Hockey League, Saturday, 17.01.2026:
17:30 HC TIWAG Innsbruck – Die Haie – Vienna Capitals
Referees: SEEWALD E., SMETANA, Nothegger, Zacherl

19:15 EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV – Hydro Fehérvár AV19
Referees: OFNER, PIRAGIC, Durmis, Konc

19:30 Pioneers Vorarlberg – Moser Medical Graz99ers
Referees: SCHAUER, SMETANA, Pardatscher, Sparer

ALL GAMES LIVE ON SPORTEUROPE.TV