Quarterfinal matchups set

Quarterfinal 1: Moser Medical Graz99ers (1) – EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV (8)
Regular season winners Moser Medical Graz99ers held the first pick and selected EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV. Villach qualified for the quarterfinals by sweeping Linz 2–0 in the Pre-Playoffs. For the VSV, this marks their seventh consecutive quarterfinal appearance, while Graz won the regular season for the third time in league history. The two teams meet in the postseason for the first time. During the regular season, the 99ers won three of the four matchups. Overall, the teams have faced each other 140 times so far – 78 games went to the VSV, 62 to the 99ers.

Statement from Head Coach Dan Lacroix (G99):
“Every team that is now in the playoffs has a chance – everything starts from zero. We need to win four games, and our focus is on executing our own game well and being well prepared. I think it will be a really good series against a strong opponent that plays very structured hockey, has a lot of quality and performed very well in the two games against Linz. We are happy to take on the challenge and will focus on ourselves. For Game 1, our focus is on getting back into rhythm.”

Statement from Head Coach Pierre Allard (VSV): “It’s something special with the pick. Graz chose us, and I think they’re going to see our best side. I like the way we’ve been playing lately. We’re carrying the momentum from last week’s games, and I think we need to bring the same energy we had in our last road game in Linz. It’s going to be intense and physical, but we’ll be ready.”

Quarterfinal 2: EC-KAC (2) – Hydro Fehérvár AV19 (10)
EC-KAC dropped to second place on the final day of the regular season and therefore had the second pick when selecting its quarterfinal opponent. The KAC chose Fehérvár. The Hungarian side qualified for the quarterfinals on Sunday with a win in Vienna and reached the quarterfinal stage for the sixth consecutive time. This season, the KAC won all four previous meetings, one in overtime and one in a shootout. Overall, the two teams have met 92 times so far – with 53 wins for the KAC and 39 for Fehérvár. Now the teams will face each other in the playoffs for the first time ever.

Statement from Head Coach Kirk Furey (KAC):
“We followed our usual traditional approach in the pick and selected the lowest-ranked team among those available. That is Fehérvár AV19, whom we will face in the playoffs for the first time ever. The Hungarians have an experienced team, with several players still on the roster who were part of the run to the Final in 2022. So they know how to approach the playoffs. We are preparing for an opponent that plays smart and compact hockey, but we are confident enough that our primary focus is on our own hockey. Our system and our approach to the game give us a lot of optimism that we can overcome the challenges ahead.”

Statement from Head Coach Ted Dent (AVS):
“My first thought was actually that Graz didn’t choose us – so they must already have some respect for us. With Klagenfurt we’re facing a good team. We recently played a good game in their arena, at least from what I remember since I’ve been here. We really played well that night, even though they were missing a few players at the time. Klagenfurt is a nice city, they have a good arena and they are a very well-coached team. In the end, we simply have to play our best hockey. The travel distance is obviously greater. The trip is long, but once we get there we have our routine – with the video meeting, the locker room and everything that comes with it – and then it’s just about getting the job done.”

Quarterfinal 3: EC Red Bull Salzburg (3) – HC Falkensteiner Pustertal (5)
As the third-ranked team of the regular season, defending champion EC Red Bull Salzburg selected fifth-placed Bruneck in the pick. The two teams will meet in the playoffs for the first time. Salzburg has been crowned champion in each of the past four seasons and has missed the playoffs only once, in its inaugural 2004/05 season. Pustertal reached the playoffs three times in four league seasons – once even advancing to the semifinals. Of the previous 20 meetings, Salzburg won twelve, but the South Tyroleans improved their record this season: they won three times, although Salzburg claimed the most recent matchup in overtime.

Statement from Head Coach Manny Viveiros (RBS):
“There is no bad team in this league. During the season, our goal was to keep improving, and now we believe we are in good shape for the playoffs. There isn’t just one reason why we chose Pustertal. We have a lot of respect for Pustertal, but we also have a lot of confidence in our game. It will be an exciting series.”

Statement from Head Coach Jason Jaspers (HCP):
“Salzburg has won the championship four times in a row, which speaks for itself. They always perform at the highest level. We are very excited that the playoffs are starting, but we also know what a strong opponent the Red Bulls are. Being picked certainly gives all of us an extra boost of motivation. I expect a great series where details and discipline will be decisive.”

Quarterfinal 4: HCB Südtirol Alperia (4) – Olimpija Ljubljana (6)
HCB Südtirol Alperia, which finished fourth in the regular season, could not choose an opponent during the pick and was therefore matched with sixth-placed Ljubljana. The two teams will meet in the playoffs for the first time. For two-time champion Bolzano, this marks the tenth quarterfinal qualification overall – only in 2022 did they fall in the Pre-Playoffs. Ljubljana reached the quarterfinals for the first time since 2022. In the direct season series, the teams are tied 2–2, with each team winning its home games. Of the previous 18 meetings, Bolzano won ten.

Statement from Head Coach Doug Shedden (HCB):
“I think at this time of year everyone’s excitement rises again. The long regular season is over, and it feels a little bit like a fresh start now that the playoffs begin. Every team looks forward to this every year – it’s simply the best time of the season. It’s always a bit difficult to focus solely on the opponent. For us, the main focus is on bringing our own game onto the ice and playing to our strengths. That’s what we prepared for this week and what we worked on intensively. Ljubljana has recently added some really strong players. They also have the best offense in the league, so they have a lot of quality up front. In addition, they have T.J. Brannon, a defenseman who has scored more than 20 goals. So you can expect a very offensive series. In the end, however, the team that plays more solid defensively will probably have the better chances. When the series starts with a home game, you obviously want to get off to a good start. If you lose the first game, you then have to go on the road – and before you know it, you might already be down 0–2. That’s why good preparation and the right mindset for that first game are especially important.”

Statement from Head Coach Ben Cooper (OLL):
“We are very excited about the challenge of playing a playoff series against Bolzano. They are a very strong team with many experienced playoff players, offensive quality and strong goaltenders. In the regular season we had four very balanced and hard-fought matchups, so we expect another good and tight series. We are aware that the intensity level is even higher in the playoffs, and we are prepared for that. Our goal is to play our game from the opening faceoff in Game 1. Ultimately, the series will likely come down to which team plays with more discipline, wears down the opponent better and, of course, remains solid defensively.”

Quarterfinal schedule
10.03.2026
12.03.2026
14.03.2026
17.03.2026
19.03.2026 (if necessary)
21.03.2026 (if necessary)
25.03.2026 (if necessary)

ORF starts playoffs with live game from Graz
For the quarterfinal opener on Tuesday, March 10, league TV partner ORF will broadcast the game between Graz and Villach live on ORF Sport+. On the second quarterfinal game day on Thursday, March 12, the matchup between Pustertal and Salzburg will also be shown live on ORF Sport+. Puck drop is scheduled for 19:15 in both games. Further broadcast dates for the quarterfinals will be announced shortly.

All playoff games will be available live on Sporteurope.tv. In addition, all games featuring Austrian clubs played abroad in non-German-speaking countries will also be offered with German commentary.