Tuesday's round opens decisive phase

win2day ICE Hockey League, Round 48:
Tue, 13.02.2024, 19:15: EC-KAC - Hydro Fehérvár AV19
Referees: HRONSKY, OFNER, Durmis, Konc | >> live.ice.hockey <<

The EC-KAC has been leading the win2day ICE Hockey League table continuously since 6 January and currently has an eight-point lead over its closest rival Fehérvár AV19, which still has one more game to play than the Carinthians. The Red Jackets have the first of four opportunities to qualify for the Champions Hockey League for the fifth time in the club's history in Tuesday's sold-out home game, for which they need two more points in the remainder of the regular season. Klagenfurt have been in splendid form of late, recording clear victories at HC Pustertal Wölfe (7:1) and against EC VSV (6:1) just before the international break. Fehérvár have won six of their last seven games, conceding a total of just 13 goals in the process. However, the Hungarians will face their most unpleasant opponent in the competition in EC-KAC: The Red Jackets are the only team the Magyars could not beat in 2023-24, while Székesfehérvár have never led against Klagenfurt this season. While Klagenfurt is the best home team in the league, the Hungarians are the most successful away side in the ICE season so far with an average of 1.85 points per road game, but have lost four of their last six games away from home. Paul Postma will be missing for the KAC.

Tue, 13.02.2024, 19:15: Steinbach Black Wings Linz - BEMER Pioneers Vorarlberg
Referees: FICHTNER, SMETANA, Bärnthaler, Riecken | >> live.ice.hockey <<

Although Linz have only won one of their last four games, the Upper Austrians are in fifth place. However, they are only one point ahead of eighth place. The Pioneers, on the other hand, have recently celebrated four successes in a row, and another point would see them secure a top-10 finish on their own. Led by the outstanding Steven Owre, who leads the win2day ICE Hockey League in both points (55) and goals (29), the team from Vorarlberg is one of the strongest in offence. Dylan Stanley's team has scored a total of 142 goals so far this season. The power play of the team from Feldkirch is exemplary and also at the top of the championship with a success rate of 26.88%. The Pioneers lead the direct season duel against Linz. The team from Vorarlberg won both of their home games (4:1 and 7:3), while Linz kept the upper hand in front of their crowd (7:2).

Tue, 13.02.2024, 19:15: HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Moser Medical Graz99ers
Referees: M. NIKOLIC, PALKÖVI, Nothegger, J. Seewald | >> live.ice.hockey <<

In the two weeks before the international break, Innsbruck really struggled, with Mitch O'Keefe's team winning just one of five games and dropping to eighth place. However, they are only three points off the fourth-placed Bolzano side. The team from Graz are at the bottom of the table, have recently suffered six defeats in a row and have lost all three duels against the Sharks so far. Just under a year ago (17 February 2023), the 99ers celebrated their last win in Innsbruck with a 4:2 victory. The Sharks are looking for important points and the favour of their own fans - they have lost all of their last three home games.

Tue, 13.02.2024, 19:15: HK SZ Olimpija - spusu Vienna Capitals
Referees: GROZNIK, NAGY, Snoj, Zgonc | >> live.ice.hockey <<

HK SZ Olimpija have won three of their last five league games and are currently in ninth place. The Capitals are in a completely different position: Four games before the end of the regular season, they are twelve points behind the tenth-placed Pioneers Vorarlberg. In order to reach the pre-playoffs after all, the Viennese would have to win all four of their remaining games after 60 minutes. The Pioneers Vorarlberg would also have to remain without a point. The last seven duels between the capital city clubs have always gone to the visiting team after 60 minutes. The Slovenians won the last encounter to date on 6 January 2024 in the STEFFL Arena by 6:3. The Slovenians only picked up 26 points in front of their home crowd, with only league bottom team Moser Medical Graz99ers having a lower tally. Caps head coach Christian Dolezal will be without the injured Patrick Antal, Nico Brunner, Timo Pallierer, Lukas Piff and Zintis Zusevics.

Tue, 13.02.2024, 19:45: Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey - EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV
Referees: PIRAGIC, ZRNIC, Mantovani, Puff | >> live.ice.hockey <<

It is already clear that Asiago's season will end after the regular season. Nevertheless, the Italians have put in a good performance of late, picking up a point against Salzburg and winning the derby against Pustertal. VSV, currently in sixth place, have alternated between success and failure in the last five rounds, losing 6-1 in Klagenfurt before the international break. Villach have won six of their seven head-to-head meetings. Most recently, the eagles prevailed in Asiago at the beginning of November after over time, with Dylan MacPherson scoring the game-winner. New signing Maxim Golod will make his debut for VSV, while Felix Maxa is doubtful due to a lower-body injury.

Tue, 13.02.2024, 19:45: HC Pustertal - HCB Südtirol Alperia
Referees: HUBER, STERNAT, Pardatscher, Sparer | >> live.ice.hockey <<

The 194th South Tyrolean derby in the already sold-out Intercable Arena will be a very special game. Never before has a clash between the two teams been as important for the standings as this time. Pustertal (seventh) are three points behind fourth-placed Bolzano, but have played one game more. While Pustertal went into the international break with a win in Innsbruck, HCB have recently suffered two defeats. Bruneck have won two of their three derbies in Bolzano so far this season. On 1 December, however, the Foxes won 3:2 away from home thanks to a goal from McClure in over time after a memorable comeback. Bolzano's new signing Cristiano DiGiacinto will make his debut in the derby. There is a question mark over the appearance of Mike Halmo, who is suffering from a muscle injury.

Photo: Foppa Iwan - HC Pustertal