Release from 09.03.2026

Quarterfinals begin | Graz vs. Villach Live on ORF Sport+

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The win2day ICE Hockey League playoffs get underway on Tuesday with the quarterfinals. None of the four series have been seen in the playoffs before. The matchup between regular-season champions Moser Medical Graz99ers and EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV will be broadcast live on ORF Sport+.

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Moser Medical Graz99ers – EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV
  • The history between Graz and Villach goes back a long way, but the last real playoff duels took place in the early 1990s, some time before the 99ers were founded and the league was newly-founded.
  • For the third time in club history, the 99ers topped the regular season standings, earning the first pick for the quarterfinals.
  • VSV advanced through the pre-playoffs against Linz, reaching the quarterfinals for the seventh consecutive year.
  • Villach won the first meeting of the season, but Graz took the next three, conceding only two goals in those games.
EC-KAC – Hydro Fehérvár AV19
  • Regular-season runners-up EC-KAC enter their 39th playoff campaign and, as usual, selected the lowest-seeded available opponent: Fehérvár AV19 (10th).
  • KAC won all four regular-season matchups, two of them after overtime or a shootout.
  • The “Red Jackets” boast an outstanding home record against teams outside the Top 6, winning 13 of 14 such games.
  • Fehérvár, meanwhile, head into the series with momentum after overturning a 1–5 loss against the Vienna Capitals into a 7–3 home win and a 1–0 road victory to clinch a quarterfinal spot.
EC Red Bull Salzburg – HC Falkensteiner Pustertal
  • Defending champions EC Red Bull Salzburg begin their quest for a fifth consecutive title.
  • A strong finish to the regular season secured them third place.
  • Pustertal continue their steady rise in their fifth ICE season, coming in as an in-form fifth seed after recent wins over Ljubljana (3–2 OT) and Villach (1–0).
  • The South Tyroleans took three of the four regular-season meetings, but Salzburg prevailed 2–1 in overtime in their most recent encounter.
HCB Südtirol Alperia – Olimpija Ljubljana
  • As the remaining Top 4 club, HCB Südtirol Alperia automatically drew HK Olimpija Ljubljana.
  • Only five points separated Bolzano (4th) and Ljubljana (6th) after the regular season. The season series is tied 2–2, with each home team winning so far.
  • The Foxes have won 10 of 18 all-time meetings, including 16 home victories in 24 games this season.
  • Olimpija travel with an even away record of 12 wins and 12 losses.
>> Click here for all head coaches’ statements <<

win2day ICE Hockey League, Quarterfinal Game 1

Tue, 10.03.2026
19:15: Moser Medical Graz99ers - EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV
Referees: OFNER, STERNAT, Muzsik, Riecken | LIVE on ORF Sport+

19:15: EC-KAC - Hydro Fehervar AV 19
Referees: KAINBERGER, PIRAGIC, Nothegger, Zgonc

19:15: EC Red Bull Salzburg - HC Falkensteiner Pustertal
Referees: HRONSKY, ZRNIC, Bedynek, Jedlicka

19:45: HCB Südtirol Alperia - Olimpija Ljubljana
Referees: M. NIKOLIC, SCHAUER, Fleischmann, Mantovani

All games are also available via streaming partner Sporteurope.tv.