Salzburg win top clash and secure early playoff qualification

Salzburg secure playoff ticket in top clash
EC Red Bull Salzburg earned a 4–3 win in the top clash against EC-KAC. The opening phase saw a flurry of action. Philipp Wimmer put the Red Bulls ahead early, but KAC responded with two goals within 30 seconds: Matt Fraser struck on the power play before Nick Petersen made it 2–1. Just seven seconds after the go-ahead goal, Brandon Coe replied for Salzburg to level the score once more. Shortly before the end of the first period, Peter Schneider restored the lead for the visitors. In the second period, Nash Nienhuis extended Salzburg’s advantage to 4–2, a goal that proved decisive. Fabian Hochegger pulled one back for KAC in the final period, sparking a late push from the hosts, but it was not enough to force overtime. With this win, EC Red Bull Salzburg have mathematically secured a quarterfinal spot. As a result, last season’s two finalists are the first teams to qualify for the 2026 playoffs.

Caps celebrate shutout win over Bolzano
The Vienna Capitals recorded their first shutout victory of the current season against HCB Südtirol Alperia. Caps netminder Sebastian Wraneschitz turned aside all 27 shots he faced to secure the 3–0 win, lifting the Vienna side up to seventh place in the standings. In an evenly balanced opening period, Benjamin Lanzinger disrupted the Foxes’ breakout and opened the scoring in the 13th minute. Bolzano controlled slightly more of the play in the second period, but the Capitals proved more efficient, doubling their lead through Mitch Hults. The decisive goal came in the final period, when Cole Hults struck on the power play. While the Foxes were unable to clinch their playoff ticket with this defeat, the Capitals made a significant jump in the standings and now lead the chasing pack in positions seven to eleven.

Pioneers Vorarlberg turn game around against Villach
Pioneers Vorarlberg celebrated a 4–1 home victory over EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV on Sunday. After a scoreless first period and falling behind in the middle frame, the hosts turned the game around before the second intermission and sealed the result in the third period. The opening minutes were evenly contested, with Villach creating the first quality chances but repeatedly denied by goaltender David Madlener. A Pioneers goal in the seventh minute was overturned following a video review due to goaltender interference, while further chances at both ends went unfinished. In the second period, Nick Hutchison gave the visitors the lead in the 26th minute. Vorarlberg raised their level thereafter but struck the frame of the goal twice. The momentum swung in the final minute of the period: Florchuk tied the game, and just four seconds before the buzzer Kevin Macierzynski put the Pioneers ahead 2–1. In the third period, Collin Adams delivered a decisive double. He first scored on a breakaway (42nd minute) before adding another on the power play shortly after (43rd minute). Villach were unable to respond, and the Pioneers closed out the game comfortably. As a result, EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV remain outside the top ten once again this weekend. However, the gap to tenth-placed FTC-Telekom, who have already played two more games, is just one point.

Black Wings collect important points in Innsbruck
Steinbach Black Wings Linz claimed a crucial win in the race for a top-ten spot against bottom-placed HC TIWAG Innsbruck, though the result had to be hard-fought. Despite clear territorial and playing advantages, the visitors were forced to battle until the final minutes. After an evenly matched opening phase, Linz gradually took control and were rewarded with two goals in the first period. Shawn St-Amant opened the scoring after 15 minutes following a rebound, before Brian Lebler doubled the lead just two minutes later. Innsbruck rarely threatened Rasmus Tirronen’s goal in the opening frame. The Black Wings continued to dictate play in the second period but failed to convert several strong chances. That proved costly in the 28th minute, when Stefan Klassek finished a Tyrolean counterattack to reduce the deficit to 1–2. Linz pushed for a third goal, hitting the post several times and being denied by goaltender Matthew Vernon. In the third period, Ken Ograjensek made it 3–1 with a well-placed shot in the 52nd minute. Innsbruck responded immediately on the power play through Matthew Wilkins and applied heavy pressure in the closing stages. Linz defended with great commitment, with Tirronen producing several key saves to preserve the win.

win2day ICE Hockey League, 25.01.2026:
Pioneers Vorarlberg – EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV 4:1 (0:0, 2:1, 2:0)
Referees: HOLZER, NIKOLIC; Linesmen: Martin, Sparer
Goals PIV: Florchuk E. (39.), Macierzynski K. (40.), Adams C. (42.), Adams C. (43./pp)
Goals VSV: Hutchison N. (26.)

Vienna Capitals – HCB Südtirol Alperia 3:0 (1:0, 1:0, 1:0)
Referees: OFNER, SMETANA; Linesmen: Bedynek, Riecken
Goals VIC: Lanzinger B. (13.), Hults M. (36.), Souch C. (45./pp)

EC-KAC – EC Red Bull Salzburg 3:4 (2:3, 0:1, 1:0)
Referees: STERNAT, ZRNIC; Linesmen: Mantovani, Muzsik
Goals KAC: Fraser M. (7./pp), Petersen N. (8.), Hochegger F. (52.)
Goals RBS: Wimmer P. (1.), Coe B. (8.), Schneider P. (20./pp), Nienhuis N. (36.)

HC TIWAG Innsbruck – Die Haie – Steinbach Black Wings Linz 2:3 (0:2, 1:0, 1:1)
Referees: KAINBERGER, SEEWALD; Linesmen: Dummermuth-Haas, Zacherl
Goals HCI: Klassek S. (28.), Wilkins M. (53./pp)
Goals BWL: St-Amant S. (15.), Lebler B. (17.), Ograjensek K. (51.)