New Year’s Round Headlined by Top Clash in Klagenfurt

EC Red Bull Salzburg vs. Steinbach Black Wings Linz
The new year begins with a matchup carrying clear competitive significance in the win2day ICE Hockey League. EC Red Bull Salzburg host the Steinbach Black Wings Linz in the fourth and final meeting between the two teams in the current regular season. The previous encounters have been evenly balanced, with Salzburg claiming two wins and Linz one.

Both teams arrive with momentum. Salzburg recently extended their winning streak to eight games and are firmly back in the tight race for direct playoff spots. With only a few points separating third through sixth place, every point carries added importance. Linz have also shown strong form, snapping a brief losing streak with two convincing home wins and reinforcing their ambition to secure a Pre-Playoff position.

The most recent meeting shortly before Christmas in Linz underlined how close the matchup is, with Salzburg edging out a narrow victory while Linz competed on equal footing. Historically, New Year’s games have also tended to favor Salzburg.

EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV vs. HC TIWAG Innsbruck – Die Haie
In Villach, the new year opens with a clash between two teams currently battling for stability and crucial points near the bottom of the standings. EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV host HC TIWAG Innsbruck – Die Haie with the clear objective of ending their losing streak. The Carinthians have suffered seven consecutive defeats and have shifted their focus firmly toward the Pre-Playoff zone.

Despite some encouraging signs following a system change, the long-awaited breakthrough has yet to materialize, giving this New Year’s home game added significance. Innsbruck also arrive with a challenging record and currently sit at the foot of the table. The Tyroleans have been searching for a positive result for several games and have only rarely picked up points in recent weeks.

The season series adds further intrigue: Innsbruck have won two of the three previous meetings, including both most recent encounters on home ice. Villach, however, can draw confidence from a strong home record against the Haie in recent years. Statistically, both teams show weaknesses in different areas—Innsbruck in particular have struggled with their special teams, while VSV have recently shown signs of slight improvement in that department.

Moser Medical Graz99ers vs. FTC-Telekom
The Moser Medical Graz99ers enter the New Year’s game against FTC-Telekom full of confidence. Since the coaching change, the Styrians have been in excellent form, collecting points in nearly all recent games, including a road win in Villach. The positive trend is reflected both in results and defensive stability, with goaltending performances playing a key role.

Budapest, however, present a challenge that has troubled Graz so far this season: the Styrians have yet to record a regulation-time win against the league newcomers. While the Hungarian side arrive on the back of several recent losses, they have continued to demonstrate their offensive firepower. In particular, the visitors’ two leading scorers carry much of the attacking load and have provided decisive moments in recent games. Ferencváros sit just above the Pre-Playoff line, adding further importance to the points at stake for the visitors.

Vienna Capitals vs. Olimpija Ljubljana
In Vienna, the new year begins with a matchup between two teams entering 2026 from different positions but with clear ambitions. The Vienna Capitals aim to build on a successful end to the year and continue their recent run of solid performances as they look to close the gap in the tight Pre-Playoff race. The deficit to seventh place is manageable, and recent results point to a positive trend.

Olimpija Ljubljana, however, arrive at the STEFFL Arena as one of the league’s top teams. The Slovenians come in on the back of two convincing wins, sit third in the standings and currently boast the most potent offense in the win2day ICE Hockey League. Their powerplay ranks among the league’s most efficient. Both previous meetings this season were won by the home team. Additional intrigue surrounds the return of former Capitals player Nicolai Meyer, who currently leads the league in scoring.

HC Falkensteiner Pustertal vs. Pioneers Vorarlberg
After a brief break, HC Falkensteiner Pustertal open the new year with a home game against the Pioneers Vorarlberg. The season series clearly favors the South Tyroleans, who have won both head-to-head matchups so far, including a high-scoring and convincing home victory.

Nevertheless, caution is advised from Pustertal’s perspective, as the Pioneers have previously shown they can be an uncomfortable opponent in Brunico. Vorarlberg traditionally rely on a blend of North American imports and impactful domestic players, several of whom have stepped into prominent roles this season. Pustertal are close to full strength and enter an intensive stretch of games with confidence. The hosts aim to extend their positive head-to-head record, while the Pioneers look to respond after the previous season meetings.

EC-KAC vs. HCB Südtirol Alperia
On New Year’s Day, EC-KAC return to the Heidi Horten Arena following a rare defeat and face HCB Südtirol Alperia. The Klagenfurt side remain atop the standings but will be eager to respond and defend their strong home record. In recent years, EC-KAC have consistently collected points in games played at the start of the year.

The South Tyroleans travel as fourth in the table, have played fewer games and boast one of the league’s best points-per-game averages. HCB are also in excellent form, having impressed with multiple recent wins and solid goaltending performances. Historically, this matchup ranks among the league’s most traditional rivalries. Each team has claimed one win in the season series so far, adding further balance to the outlook. While EC-KAC excel particularly at even strength, Bolzano feature one of the most dangerous powerplays in the league.

win2day ICE Hockey League – January 1, 2026

4:30 PM EC Red Bull Salzburg vs. Steinbach Black Wings Linz
Referees: Ofner, Seewald E., Nothegger, Seewald

5:00 PM EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV vs. HC TIWAG Innsbruck – Die Haie
Referees: Rezek, Zrnic

5:30 PM Moser Medical Graz99ers vs. FTC-Telekom
Referees: Fichtner, Siegel, Dummermuth-Haas, Puff

5:30 PM Vienna Capitals vs. Olimpija Ljubljana
Referees: Hronsky, Smetana, Durmis, Konc

6:00 PM HC Falkensteiner Pustertal vs. Pioneers Vorarlberg
Referees: Holzer, Schauer, Martin, Rigoni

7:15 PM EC-KAC vs. HCB Südtirol Alperia
Referees: Nikolic M., Piragic, Bedynek, Zacherl

All games live on Sporteurope.TV

Foto ©EC-KAC/Florian Pessentheiner