Release from 26.11.2025
The 23rd round of the win2day ICE Hockey League delivered pure entertainment, producing 53 goals across six games. Olimpija Ljubljana claimed the top spot thanks to a direct win over HC Falkensteiner Pustertal. Both teams at the bottom of the standings — Pioneers Vorarlberg and HC TIWAG Innsbruck — recorded wins against opponents of Carinthia, while the third team currently outside the Top-10, the Vienna Capitals, also collected a victory. Despite that, tt was a successful debut for newly appointed head coach Dan Lacroix, who guided the Moser Medical Graz99ers to a road win against reigning champion Salzburg. Meanwhile, HCB Südtirol Alperia ended the home-winning streak of the Steinbach Black Wings Linz and reclaimed third place in the standings.
Ljubljana Back on Top
Olimpija Ljubljana and HC Falkensteiner Pustertal traded places at the top once again. Two weeks ago, the South Tyroleans had won the head-to-head battle for first place, but on Wednesday the Slovenians struck back to reclaim the lead. In front of a packed arena, the “Green Dragons” opened the scoring through T.J. Brennan. Despite Pustertal controlling large parts of the first period and tying the game, Ljubljana remained the more efficient side, pulling ahead 4–2 in the second period. The visitors never managed to threaten the Dragons’ win and ultimately fell 3–6, surrendering first place. Ljubljana also became the first team this season to break the 100-goal mark.
Big Wins for the League’s Bottom Teams
HC TIWAG Innsbruck sent a strong message with a high-scoring win over EC-KAC — despite a disastrous start. Klagenfurt led 2–0 inside the first minute and extended to 3–0 by the seventh. But the Sharks responded with two goals to get back into the game, before KAC struck again for a 4–2 lead after 20 minutes. What followed was a massive turnaround: Innsbruck dominated the second period and early stages of the third, scoring five unanswered goals to take control. KAC pushed hard in the final 15 minutes and closed the gap to 6–7, but two empty-netters sealed a 9–6 Innsbruck victory. Benjamin Corbeil and Mat Wilkins each recorded two goals.
The Pioneers Vorarlberg delivered a similarly spectacular performance, defeating EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV 5–4. After a balanced opening period, the Pioneers exploded in the middle frame, scoring three times despite long phases of defensive play. They extended their lead to 5–1 early in the third, before the Eagles mounted a push that brought them within a goal with 90 seconds remaining — but the comeback fell short. It was Vorarlberg’s third regulation win of the season, though they remain last due to Innsbruck’s win.
Vienna Capitals head coach Kevin Constantine enjoyed a victorious reunion with his former club, as the Caps defeated Fehérvár 3–1. The visitors struck first on the powerplay, but Vienna answered immediately for a 1–1 tie after twenty minutes. The Caps controlled the second period and took the lead through Simon Bourque, before Zane Franklin’s powerplay marker in the third sealed the win and ended Vienna’s short losing streak.
Successful Debut for Dan Lacroix
Dan Lacroix couldn’t have asked for a tougher debut as Graz99ers head coach than facing the reigning champions from Salzburg, who entered the matchup on a four-game winning streak. After a scoreless opening period, the hosts jumped ahead — but the 99ers replied with goals from Michael Schiechl and Marcus Vela. Salzburg tied the game early in the third through Lucas Thaler, but Graz finished strong: Lukas Kainz netted the game-winning goal, and the 99ers added two more to secure a 5–2 win while snapping Salzburg’s streak. Graz also climbed back to third place in the standings.
Bozen Takes Down Linz
Steinbach Black Wings Linz and HCB Südtirol Alperia produced a hard-fought, physical contest. Linz controlled much of the first period and carried a 2–1 lead into the intermission. They pushed ahead to 3–1 early in the second, but from that point on, Bozen took over completely. The Foxes turned the game around before the second break and added a shorthanded goal in the final period to pull away. Their 6–3 win ended Linz’s home streak and strengthened their position inside the Top-6. Brad McClure scored twice and added an assist.
Results & Scorers – Wednesday, 26 November (23rd Round)
EC Red Bull Salzburg – Moser Medical Graz99ers 2:5 (0:0, 1:2, 1:3)
Goals RBS: Raffl T. (24.), Thaler L. (48.)
Goals G99: Schiechl M. (29./PP), Vela M. (32.), Kainz L. (51.), Currie J. (59.), Huber P. (60.)
Olimpija Ljubljana – HC Falkensteiner Pustertal 6:3 (1:1, 3:1, 2:1)
Goals OLL: Brennan T. (10.), Simsic N. (28./PP, 39.), Kumanovic L. (31.), MacWilliam A. (53.), Petan A. (59.)
Goals HCP: Ticar R. (15.), Zanatta L. (33.), Ierullo A. (50.)
Steinbach Black Wings Linz – HCB Südtirol Alperia 3:6 (2:1, 1:3, 0:2)
Goals BWL: Knott G. (9.), Würschl N. (15./PP), Gaffal S. (20.)
Goals HCB: Schneider C. (9.), Digiacinto C. (25./PP), McClure B. (27./PP, 56.), Pollock B. (40.), Gersch S. (60.)
Vienna Capitals – Hydro Fehérvár AV19 3:1 (1:1, 1:0, 1:0)
Goals VIC: Hults M. (20.), Bourque S. (30.), Franklin Z. (51./PP)
Goals AVS: Bartalis I. (18./PP)
HC TIWAG Innsbruck – EC-KAC 9:6 (2:4, 3:0, 4:2)
Goals HCI: Bär L. (10.), Rappold K. (14.), Wilkins M. (27., 52./PP), Kudla P. (34.), Corbeil B. (40., 60.), Owre S. (44.), Coatta M. (55.)
Goals KAC: Unterweger C. (1.), Teves J. (1., 45.), Jensen Aabo J. (7.), Kempe M. (17.), Strong S. (44.)
Pioneers Vorarlberg – EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV 5:4 (1:1, 3:0, 1:3)
Goals PIV: Gallant C. (5.), Macierzynski K. (28./PP, 40.), Maier O. (33./SH), Wempe L. (41.)
Goals VSV: Rebernig M. (9.), Strong S. (44.), Maxa F. (46.), Helewka A. (59.)