Release from 04.03.2026

Playoff Information 2026

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Tonight marks the start of the postseason of the win2day ICE Hockey League 2025/26 season with the best-of-3 Pre-Playoff series, where the final two quarterfinalists will be determined. The quarterfinals begin on Tuesday, March 10, and the champion of the 26th season will be crowned no later than Wednesday, April 29. Below you will find the most important information about the playoffs – from the format and overtime rules to the schedule and DOPS regulations.

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Format: The Pre-Playoffs are played in a best-of-3 format, while all series from the quarterfinals onward are best-of-7. Pre-Playoffs: 2 wins are required to advance. Quarterfinals onward: 4 wins are required

Quarterfinal Pick: After the Pre-Playoffs, the quarterfinal pick takes place: The top three teams from the regular season choose their opponents for the quarterfinals. Moser Medical Graz99ers, as regular season champions, have the first pick, followed by EC-KAC and EC Red Bull Salzburg. The fourth-placed HCB Südtirol Alperia cannot choose and is automatically assigned the remaining team.

Semifinal Matchups: The highest-ranked team from the regular season will face the lowest-ranked team remaining.

Flexible Schedule: If all series in the quarterfinals or semifinals are decided after four or five games, the next round may start earlier than originally scheduled (to the playoff setting schedule).

Overtime Rules in case of a tie after regulation time:
  • Endless Overtime with Sudden Death: Play continues until a deciding goal is scored.
  • Non-Elimination Games: After the first full 20-minute overtime, the number of skaters is reduced to three plus goaltender per team.
  • Elimination Games: Continue in 5-on-5 format until the deciding goal is scored.
DOPS Regulations:
  • The DOPS standard remains unchanged
  • Game-Misconduct and Fighting penalties are reset to zero. Game-Misconducts are re-applied during the playoff period
  • Repeat offenders are tracked separately
  • No automatic accumulation of Fighting penalties. Each fight is reviewed individually, and DOPS takes action if necessary
  • From the quarterfinals onward, every goal is reviewed in the Situation Room
  • For all games from the quarterfinals onward, a backup official is assigned, who also serve as a Video Goal Judge (VGJ) system monitor.