Release from 28.02.2025

The pairings for the 2025 quarter-finals

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After Hydro Fehérvár AV19 secured the last quarter-final spot, the play-off pick has been made. The decisive phase of the win2day ICE Hockey League starts on Sunday.

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win2day ICE Hockey League
Quarter-finals 2025:
EC-KAC (1) - HC Pustertal (8)
EC Red Bull Salzburg (2) - Hydro Fehérvár AV19 (7)
HCB Südtirol Alperia (3) - EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV (6)
Steinbach Black Wings Linz (4) - Moser Medical Graz99ers (5)

The duels in detail:
EC-KAC (1) - HC Pustertal (8)
The top seed EC-KAC decided for HC Pustertal in the quarter-final pick. After last year's semi-final, which the Red Jackets won 4:0, this is the second playoff series between the two teams. In the four season meetings, the home team has always prevailed.

EC Red Bull Salzburg (2) - Hydro Fehérvár AV19 (7)
EC Red Bull Salzburg chose Hydro Fehérvár AV19 as their opponent. The reigning champions won all four season meetings. The defeat in their last encounter a few days ago - the final round of the regular season - even saw the Hungarians slip out of the top six. The Red Bulls have also won the three play-off series so far.

HCB Südtirol Alperia (3) - EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV (6)
HCB Südtirol Alperia still had two options and opted for EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV as their quarter-final opponent. Bolzano won the first three meetings this season - one of them in a shootout. Villach hit back with a win in the last encounter. There have also been two play-off series between these two teams so far, both of which have gone to Bolzano.

Steinbach Black Wings Linz (4) - Moser Medical Graz99ers (5)
The fourth clash is between Steinbach Black Wings Linz and Moser Medical Graz99ers. The only quarter-final series between these two teams to date went to the Styrians in 2019. Both teams won two games each this season, with the home team always coming out on top - one encounter was decided in a shootout. PULS 24 will show the series opener live on Sunday.

Quarterfinal Schedule at a Glance
The quarterfinal series will generally follow the traditional Sunday/Tuesday/Friday schedule. However, the series featuring Moser Medical Graz99ers will have an adjusted schedule due to the Graz football derby on March 9, as local authorities do not permit parallel events for security reasons.

Quarterfinal Game Dates (H/A/H/A/H/A/H Format):

  • Sunday, March 2, 2025
  • Tuesday, March 4, 2025
  • Friday, March 7, 2025 (Graz99ers series: Thursday, March 6, 2025)
  • Sunday, March 9, 2025 (Graz99ers series: Saturday, March 8, 2025)
  • Tuesday, March 11, 2025*
  • Friday, March 14, 2025*
  • Sunday, March 16, 2025*

*if necessary

Key Facts About the 2025 Playoffs

Format: All playoff rounds (quarterfinals, semifinals, finals) will be played in a best-of-seven format. The first team to win four games advances to the next round.

Semifinal Matchups: The highest-seeded team will face the lowest-seeded team remaining after the quarterfinals.

Flexible Scheduling: If all quarterfinal or semifinal series conclude in four or five games, the next playoff round may start earlier than originally scheduled.

Overtime Rules in the Postseason
If a game is tied after regulation during the postseason, the following overtime rules apply:

  • Endless Overtime with Sudden Death: Play continues until a game-winning goal is scored.
  • Non-Deciding Games: After the first full overtime period (20 minutes), teams will continue with three skaters plus a goaltender per side.
  • Deciding Games: In deciding games, play will continue with full-strength (five-on-five) hockey until the game-winning goal is scored.