ICE Hockey League 2021-2022 (Salzburg wins championship)

[Theokritos]

Next games:

Saturday, September 18:

Bratislava vs Dornbirn
17:00 CET = 11:00 EST
Both teams will have to up their game, but Dornbirn already has 2 points while the home team has 0. Being empty handed after two home games against opponents that are not among the top rated teams in the league would be pretty bad, so Bratislava is already under pressure to gain something.
Stream (fee-based): ICE Hockey League TV

Fehervar vs Pustertal
17:15 CET = 11:15 EST
Pustertal won their first game in the league, but Fehervar is the clear favourite in this match and anything but 3 points for them would be a surprise.
Stream (fee-based): ICE Hockey League TV

Klagenfurt vs Innsbruck
19:15 CET = 13:15 EST
Klagenfurt is the team to beat and should look for a win again. The question is whether Innsbruck will get spanked like Vienna or whether they can put up more of a fight.

 

[Theokritos]

Saturday results:

Bratislava vs Dornbirn 5-2
The home team made up for the opening loss against Pustertal and played a better game this time around. Dornbirn had decent stretches, but they are not yet where they want to be.

Fehervar vs Pustertal 5-2
A rather close game in which Pustertal put up a good fight. Fehervar was better in the first period, Pustertal did more in the second. Score: 1-1 after two periods. In the last period, Fehervar finally sealed the win with three goals against one by Pustertal. An additional empty-netter made the result look a bit more one-sided than the game was.

Klagenfurt vs Innsbruck 6-2
Innsbruck made it a contest for 40 minutes. After the first two periods, the score was 3-2 for KAC. In the last period, Klagenfurt took over and added three unanswered goals.

Games today:

Salzburg vs Bolzano
16:30 CET = 10:30 EST
Two of the top teams in the league and they will meet again twice next month in the Champions Hockey League. Unfortunatly no stream.

Villach vs Linz
17:30 CET = 11:30 EST
Both teams got defeatet soundly in their opening games against strong opponents. This match should be a real indicator for both of them.
Stream (free): Die ICE Hockey League auf PULS 24 | PULS 24

Znojmo vs Vienna
17:30 CET = 11:30 EST
Two teams with zero points, but Znojmo looked competitive while Vienna looked really underwhelming. Vienna's next opponent will be the strong Fehervar team, so a defeat against Znojmo would put them in a bad spot.
Stream (fee-based): ICE Hockey League TV

Ljubljana vs Graz
18:00 CET = 12:00 EST
Hard to make a prediction here. Ljubljana gave a good effort against Innsbruck for two periods. Graz on the other hand was disappointing for two periods and good in the third. Which face is Graz going to show? If it's the good one, than they should get 3 points here. If it's the bad one, then points for Ljubljana are in the cards.
Stream (fee-based): ICE Hockey League TV

 

[Theokritos]

Sunday results:

Salzburg vs Bolzano 0-3
Not a bad game by Salzburg, they were the more active team but just couldn't get on the scoreboard. Bolzano had fewer chances, but used two PP opportunities to get a 2-0 lead. In the end they added an empty-net goal.

Villach vs Linz 2-0
The home team had more of the game and there were stretches when they looked dominant. Linz – playing with a short bench due to injuries – struggled. Nevertheless they got a few good chances but ended up wasting them. Villach won't be entirely happy with their finishing either, they should have scored a few more.

Znojmo vs Vienna 5-4
Playing with a diluted lineup as several players are either injured or trying to get out, Vienna didn't look good but still put up a fight and actually went ahead 3-1 in the first period. It wasn't enough: in the second period Znojmo tied the game and in the third period they scored the winner.

Ljubljana vs Graz 5-2
Well, it was the bad Graz that showed up. The played a forgettable game throughout and were outscored by the much harder-working home team. The ice must be getting a little thin for coach Jens Gustafsson who didn't have any success with Graz last season either.

 

[Theokritos]

Attendance issues

A league-wide concern: the opening weekend saw disappointing attendance figures. Looks like Covid (both fear of it as well as unwilligness to get vaccinated or tested before games) is keeping some people at home. Here are the attendance numbers (compared with the average attendance numbers from 2019-20 – before Covid):

Klagenfurt 2,900* (down from 3,900)
Znojmo 2,600 (down from 2,700)
Villach 2,300 (down from 2,900)
Linz 2,200 (down from 4,600)
Salzburg 2,150 (down from 2,700)
Graz 2,000 (down from 2,600)
Innsbruck 1,600 (down from 2,000)
Fehervar 1,550* (down from 3,000)
Bolzano 1,050 (down from 2,900)
Bratislava 800* (not in the league)
Ljubljana 750 (not in the league)

*Average of two home games.

(Three teams are missing from this table because they didn't have a home game yet.)

Game today

Innsbruck vs Bratislava
19:15 CET = 13:15 EST
An interesting match-up, although the game is hardly going to be a classic. The home team should have more speed, the away team more depth.
Stream (fee-based): ICE Hockey League TV

Signing

Vienna Capitals have found a replacement for Cliff Pu who is headed for Kunlun (KHL):

 

[Theokritos]

Tuesday result:

Innsbruck vs Bratislava 1-5
A no-show by the home team. Bratislava outpassed and outclassed them all game. Innsbruck were bottled in their own end for good stretches, struggled to clear the zone and didn't create much offensively.

Roster moves by Vienna Capitals:

After letting Cliff Pu go to the KHL for a nice fee, Vienna Capitals have also terminated the contract of Shaw Lalonde. New signing:

 

[Theokritos]

Games today:

Znojmo vs Klagenfurt
18:30 CET = 12:30 EST
Two close games for Znojmo so far, while Klagenfurt got two unchallenged wins. The home team can be expected to allow goals against, the question is: how many can they score themselves? Probably not enough to beat KAC.
Stream (pay for view): ICE Hockey League TV

Graz vs Bratislava
19:15 CET = 13:15 EST
After two straight defeats, the home team is in trouble and needs points. Bratislava (6 points) is in a more comfortable position. They have looked decent, but if Graz finds their groove they have a win in them. It's a big if though.

Vienna vs Fehervar
19:15 CET = 13:15 EST
Vienna has been struggling, but will we able to add two new players (forward Luke Moncada and defender Anton Karlsson) for this one. Still, Fehervar is favoured, they have had good performances.

Salzburg vs Dornbirn
19:15 CET = 13:15 EST
Dornbirn hasn't played really well so far while Salzburg has showed good hockey, so the roles are obvious.

Villach vs Pustertal
19:15 CET = 13:15 EST
VSV beat Pustertal twice in the preseason. The expansion team from South Tyrol has looked respectable in their first two regular season games, but they go into this game with injury worries.
Stream (pay to view): ICE Hockey League TV

Linz vs Innsbruck
19:30 CET = 13:30 EST
Both teams were very underwhelming in their last game. Both could use points and both urgently need goals.
Stream (free):

Bolzano vs Ljubljana
19:45 CET = 13:45 EST
Ljubljana has done better than expected so far, but Bolzano should be too much to handle for the Slovenian club.

 

[Theokritos]

Friday brought several unexpected results and a lot of goals:

Znojmo vs Klagenfurt 6-0
The first big surprise of the season. KAC wasted a few good chances and got outplayed by Znojmo. I knew the Czech club had goals in them, but no-one expected them to keep a clean sheet let alone trounce a Klagenfurt team that had been on a roll for several weeks.

Graz vs Bratislava 5-6 OT
A close game and a better showing by Graz than before. Bratislava keep collecting points. Neither coach was happy with the defensive game of his team though.

Vienna vs Fehervar 3-4
The home team finally had a full lineup and was still outplayed – yet went ahead 2-0 despite having very few chances! But Fehervar was the better team, came back to tie the game and added the winning goal within regulation time.

Salzburg vs Dornbirn 5-6
The home team was the more active side and outshot Dornbirn by a big margin, but dropped the ball defensively. Trailing 1-2 after the first period, they allowed three goals against in the second period. In the last period Dornbirn even went up 6-2. Then, as Salzburg kept pushing, Dornbirn almost folded. They conceded three goals that turned the 6-2 into 6-5, but survived without conceding another one.

Villach vs Pustertal 2-3
A disappointing performance by Villach. They have to do a lot better with the roster they have. Pustertal showed defensive improvement.

Linz vs Innsbruck 1-2 OT
The home team had more of the game, but keeps struggling to score goals. An 1-0 lead turned out to not be enough when Innsbruck tied the score very late in the game and added the winner in OT.

Bolzano vs Ljubljana 2-6
The second big surprise of the year. Yes, Ljubljana had exceeded the expectations in their games last week, but a 6-2 away win against a strong Bolzano side wasn't in anyone's cards. The home team didn't take the Slovenian club seriously and paid for it. Ljubljana worked hard defensively and made good use of the chances Bolzano that allowed.

Game today:

Vienna vs Innsbruck
19:15 CET = 13:15 EST
The home team has the roster to get their first win of the season. Innsbruck will have to focus on not conceding goals if they hope for points.

 

[Theokritos]

Game yesterday:

Vienna vs Innsbruck 3-0
A goalless draw for a long time, but once Vienna made it 1-0 on a deflection with just 10 minutes left to play, Innsbruck crumbled and conceded two more. First win for Vienna.

Games today:

Salzburg vs Bratislava
16:30 CET = 10:30 EST
Bratislava has been collecting points, but if the Red Bulls tighten up as they should then this game is theirs to win.

Fehervar vs Villach
17:30 CET = 11:30 EST
The home team is on a roll, the visitors are still work in progress. Should be a tough game for Villach.
Stream (payer-per-view): ICE Hockey League TV

Dornbirn vs Klagenfurt
17:30 CET = 11:30 EST
Klagenfurt has something to prove after the shocking 0-6 against Znojmo. Dornbirn better be prepared.
Stream (pay-per-view): ICE Hockey League TV

Graz vs Pustertal
17:30 CET = 11:30 EST
The home team has been disappointing so far while Pustertal has had a good start.
17:30 CET = 11:30 EST

Ljubljana vs Linz
18:00 CET = 12:00 EST
Prior to the season everyone would have predicted Linz to be the favourite in this one, but after the performances so far it's not the case.
Stream (pay-per-view): ICE Hockey League TV

Bolzano vs Znojmo
18:30 CET = 12:30 EST
The home team will want to make up for the defeat against Ljubljana and should be more prepared for Znojmo, a club that gave them a solid battle last week.

 

[Dueling Banjos]

Thanks for your work Theo..much appreciated.

As per Olimpija's coach, ''Ljubljana's team will be the hardest working team in the league''. So far so good, i still think that everything but the last place will be a decent re-launch for a comeback club.

 

[jaco]

Thanks for your work Theo..much appreciated.

As per Olimpija's coach, ''Ljubljana's team will be the hardest working team in the league''. So far so good, i still think that everything but the last place will be a decent re-launch for a comeback club.

Well, I was in Palaonda and saw quite a good game from Ljubljana... I don't know so much about their roster, but if they can keep the players healthy, they will fight for a PO spot for sure.
That said, BZ were "a little" distracted... But they made up for it tonight against Znojmo. Unfortunately I wasn't there....

 

[Theokritos]

Thanks for your work Theo..much appreciated.

As per Olimpija's coach, ''Ljubljana's team will be the hardest working team in the league''. So far so good, i still think that everything but the last place will be a decent re-launch for a comeback club.

Thanks!

Yes, I wouldn't be surprised if they decended towards the bottom as the season proceeds. But 6 points out of their first three games (including a 6-2 against Bolzano) and now 9 points out of four games is definitely way above the prior expectations.

Well, I was in Palaonda and saw quite a good game from Ljubljana... I don't know so much about their roster, but if they can keep the players healthy, they will fight for a PO spot for sure.

If they keep playing like this, then sure. I just find it hard to believe that they have a full season of those performances in them. The foreigners they have are basically the calibre that no other club in the league wanted... So they are either going to perform a miracle or they're going to decline sooner or later.

 

[Theokritos]

Sunday results:

Salzburg vs Bratislava 5-2
An uncontested win by the home team. A dominant first period earned them a 2-0 lead and they never looked back from there. After two periods the score was 4-1. In the last period Bratislava made it 4-2 and took out the goaltender, but couldn't make it closer anymore. Meanwhile Salzburg added an empty-netter.

Fehervar vs Villach 3-2
A weak start by VSV allowed Fehervar to go ahead 2-0 early. Villach played a bit better as the game proceeded and managed to keep it close, but they're still not playing the hockey one should expect from them. Another win for Fehervar.

Dornbirn vs Klagenfurt 2-1 SO
One would have expected KAC to strike back after the galling 0-6 against Znojmo, but Dornbirn was prepared. They had a good first period and went ahead 1-0, struggled a bit in the second when Klagenfurt tied the game and then carved out the tie in the third period. Then they won on OT. Good game by Dornbirn and not the easiest task for Klagenfurt, but still, a stronger push would have been appropriate.

Graz vs Pustertal 5-2
Finally Graz gets a win. They played a good first period and built the foundation with a 2-0 lead. In the second period both teams traded goals but the home team kept its two-goals lead with a 4-2 score. At the end of the game an empty-net goal made it 5-2.

Ljubljana vs Linz 6-3
Another win for Ljubljana. Linz managed to keep the score close for one period, then started conceding goals and taking penalties throughout the second and third period. A game to forget for them.

Bolzano vs Znojmo 3-1
A strong opening phase paved the way for Bolzano. They scored two very early goals for a quick 2-0 lead. Afterwards Znojmo was a competitive opponent once again and had more shots than the home team, but the score remained 2-0 until the third period. When Znojmo finally scored a goal, Bolzano answered with another goal right away and that was the game.

Signing:



The reason is that Salzburg goaltender Jean-Philippe Lamoureux is injured.

 

[Theokritos]

Games tomorrow:

Znojmo vs Graz
18:30 CET = 12:30 EST
Stream (pay-for-view): https://live.ice.hockey/watch/game/4ethv48eoucktwrssvz

Dornbirn vs Fehervar
19:15 CET = 13:15 EST
Stream (pay-for-view): https://live.ice.hockey/watch/game/s5tpqo3jn9kktwrssvz

Linz vs Bolzano
19:15 CET = 13:15 EST
No stream

Klagenfurt vs Vienna
19:30 CET = 13:30 EST
Stream (free): Die ICE Hockey League auf PULS 24 | PULS 24

Ljubljana vs Innsbruck
19:45 CET = 13:45 EST
Stream (pay-for-view): https://live.ice.hockey/watch/game/2pqyeauey92ktwrssw0

Pustertal vs Salzburg
19:45 CET = 13:45 EST
Stream (pay-for-view): https://live.ice.hockey/watch/game/sprzdm5lk5pktwrssw0

Bratislava vs Villach has been posponed because the home team is experiencing a Covid outbreak.

Signing:

 

[Theokritos]

Games on Friday:

Znojmo vs Graz 9-3
A close game through two periods. Going into the third period, Graz was leading 3-2 but a catastrophic breakdown with four goals by Znojmo within three minutes turned the game around. The visitors conceded three more goals afterwards and left Znojmo with a bitter 3-9 defeat.

Dornbirn vs Fehervar 3-6
The home team was ahead 1-0 after the first period and 2-1 after 22 minutes. Then Fehervar took over and scored three unanswered goals. Dornbirn didn't recover from that. An empty-netter made the result more one-sided than the game had been.

Linz vs Bolzano 3-4 OT
An improved performance by Linz earned them one point. They went ahead three times, but Bolzano was able to tie the game as many times and score the winner in overtime.

Klagenfurt vs Vienna 0-2
The home team had much more of the game and outshot Vienna by a wide margin, but for whatever reason Klagenfurt just struggles to score right now. Vienna showed fighting spirit, survived and made good use of the few chances they had.

Ljubljana vs Innsbruck 3-4 OT
The Slovenian club started well and went ahead 1-0 in the first period, but in the second they took too many penalties and Innsbruck was able to tie the game twice. Innsbruck kept working and after 60 minutes the game was tied 3-3 before the visitors got the winner in overtime.

Pustertal vs Salzburg 3-4 OT
First home game in their brand new arena for Pustertal. They started with a lot of drive, caught Salzburg napping and scored two quick goals for an early 2-0 lead. Afterwards Salzburg got themselves together and took over. They dominated throughout the second period, but couldn't get a goal. Then, in the last period, they finally tied the game. Pustertal scored another goal, but Salzburg scored the equalizer again and went on to get a deserved win in overtime. Hattrick by TJ Brennan for Salzburg.

Signing:

 

[Theokritos]

Game yesterday:

Salzburg vs Fehervar 3-0
A demonstration of what the Red Bulls are able to do when they're going into a game focused and expecting a strong opponent. They worked hard and were in control of the game. Two goals in the second period brought a decisive 2-0 lead and in the end an empty-net goal was added.

Games today:

Graz vs Linz
17:30 CET = 13:30 EST

Vienna vs Ljubljana
17:30 CET = 13:30 EST

Villach vs Znojmo
17:30 CET = 13:30 EST
Stream (pay-for-view): https://live.ice.hockey/watch/game/igyoq65cpgktwrssw1

Innsbruck vs Klagenfurt
17:30 CET = 13:30 EST
Stream (pay-for-view): https://live.ice.hockey/watch/game/n2yf76oqrdktwrssw1

Pustertal vs Dornbirn
18:30 CET = 14:30 EST
Stream (pay-for-view): https://live.ice.hockey/watch/game/ouk9nhik5ykktwrssw2

 

[Theokritos]

Games yesterday:

Graz vs Linz 2-0
With a short bench due to injuries, Graz wasn't in the best position but Linz were pretty weak again and conceded two goals in the second period while not scoring any themselves. They remain at the rock bottom of the table.

Vienna vs Ljubljana 0-1
Another underhwelming performance by Vienna allowed Ljubljana (this time with an almost exclusively Slovenian roster) to work themselves to another win.

Villach vs Znojmo 6-1
Finally VSV is clicking. They played a very good first period and went ahead 4-1. It's known that Znojmo is prone to concede goals, but usually they also score some. This time, however, Villach weathered the storm and added two more goals in the last period. This is the Villach their roster had promised, if they keep it up they're bound to be a playoff team.

Innsbruck vs Klagenfurt 3-6
KAC outplayed the overwhelmed hosts all game. Both teams took too many penalties, but Innsbruck was clueless on the powerplay while KAC scored five goals on seven PP opportunities. Once the score was 6-1 Klagenfurt took the foot off the gas, which allowed Innsbruck to make the result closer than the game actually was.

Pustertal vs Dornbirn 2-1 SO
Decent performance by both teams. Pustertal had more of the game, but the match remained scoreless until Dornbirn made it 1-0 late in the second period. After the break Pustertal tied the game but couldn't score another. They finally clinched it in the shootout.

 

[Theokritos]

ICE Hockey League faceoff in the Champions Hockey League: In group H, Salzburg and Bolzano will play the first of two games against each other today (20:20 CET = 14:20 EST).

 

[Dueling Banjos]

Former Alps League derby today in Ljubljana, hopefully we get some of our D-men back, not sure what was the nature of Murphy's injury in Vienna.

 

[Theokritos]

Former Alps League derby today in Ljubljana

And both teams have been doing fine in this league, so it's a good match even in the higher league.

Games today:

Znojmo vs Bratislava
18:30 CET = 12:30 EST
Stream (pay-for-view): https://live.ice.hockey/watch/game/4avxj3hrti1ktwrssw2

Salzburg vs Villach
19:15 CET = 13:15 EST
No stream.

Fehervar vs Graz
19:15 CET = 13:15 EST
Stream (pay-for-view): https://live.ice.hockey/watch/game/d06dmcbwvvlktwrssw2

Dornbirn vs Vienna
19:15 CET = 13:15 EST
Stream (pay-for-view): https://live.ice.hockey/watch/game/arfiy32v49ktwrssw2

Klagenfurt vs Linz
19:30 CET = 13:30 EST
Stream (free): Die ICE Hockey League auf PULS 24 | PULS 24

Bolzano vs Innsbruck
19:45 CET = 13:45 EST
No stream.

Ljubljana vs Pustertal
19:45 CET = 13:45 EST
Stream (pay-for-view): https://live.ice.hockey/watch/game/awrmwc4wyupktwrssw3

 

[Theokritos]

Yesterday's results:

Znojmo vs Bratislava 5-3
Salzburg vs Villach 4-3
Fehervar vs Graz 3-1
Dornbirn vs Vienna 3-0
Klagenfurt vs Linz 5-6 OT
Bolzano vs Innsbruck 2-5
Ljubljana vs Pustertal 5-3

Today's result:

Innsbruck vs Vienna 3-2

Games tomorrow:

Bratislava vs Linz
15:00 CET = 9:00 EST
Stream (pay-for-view): https://live.ice.hockey/watch/game/80yx975xis8kue633uq

Graz vs Znojmo
17:30 CET = 11:30 EST
No stream.

Villach vs Bolzano
17:30 CET = 11:30 EST
Stream (pay-for-view): https://live.ice.hockey/watch/game/f5a7wmt6i5kue633ur

Fehervar vs Dornbirn
17:30 CET = 11:30 EST
Stream (pay-for-view): https://live.ice.hockey/watch/game/psfjio4sl4kue633ur

Ljubljana vs Salzburg
18:00 CET = 12:00 EST
Stream (pay-for-view): https://live.ice.hockey/watch/game/3ye6kcbb9ofkue633us

Pustertal vs Klagenfurt
18:30 CET = 12:30 EST
Stream (pay-for-view): https://live.ice.hockey/watch/game/cnxno3lq1vpkue633us

 

[Theokritos]

Sunday results:

Bratislava vs Linz 3-1
Graz vs Znojmo 1-2
Villach vs Bolzano 6-5 OT
Fehervar vs Dornbirn 1-3
Ljubljana vs Salzburg 1-0
Pustertal vs Klagenfurt 1-4

Games on Friday:

Znojmo vs Villach
18:30 CET = 12:30 EST
Stream (pay): https://live.ice.hockey/watch/game/j73od3w9rpqkue633us

Innsbruck vs Fehervar
19:15 CET = 13:15 EST
Stream (pay): https://live.ice.hockey/watch/game/ch8mk4ie1ookue633ut

Vienna vs Pustertal
19:15 CET = 13:15 EST
No stream.

Klagenfurt vs Bratislava
19:15 CET = 13:15 EST
No stream.

Linz vs Ljubljana
19:15 CET = 13:15 EST
Stream (pay): https://live.ice.hockey/watch/game/2a3695rjuiokui4u71b

Graz vs Salzburg
19:30 CET = 13:30 EST
Stream (free): Die ICE Hockey League auf PULS 24 | PULS 24

Bolzano vs Dornbirn
19:45 CET = 13:45 EST
Stream (pay): https://live.ice.hockey/watch/game/kdinric9rkkupni2p9

Roster moves not yet announced here:







Meanwhile Klagenfurt is parting ways with Phillip Bruggisser.

 

[Theokritos]

Friday results:

Znojmo vs Villach 2-5
Innsbruck vs Fehervar 1-4
Vienna vs Pustertal 4-3 OT
Klagenfurt vs Bratislava 2-3 SO
Linz vs Ljubljana 4-3 OT
Graz vs Salzburg 4-5 SO
Bolzano vs Dornbirn 2-5

Yesterday's results:

Linz vs Pustertal 4-3
Bolzano vs Fehervar 4-3

Today's games:

Salzburg vs Klagenfurt
16:30 CET = 10:30 EST
No stream.

Villach vs Graz
17:30 CET = 11:30 EST
Stream (pay): https://live.ice.hockey/watch/game/86mytlkj83pkue633uv

Dornbirn vs Innsbruck
17:30 CET = 11:30 EST
Stream (pay): https://live.ice.hockey/watch/game/z6aonhr0tykue633uv

Vienna vs Bratislava
17:30 CET = 11:30 EST
No stream.

Ljubljana vs Znojmo
18:00 CET = 12:00 EST
Stream (pay): https://live.ice.hockey/watch/game/boy5m7ezrf7kue633uv

 

[Theokritos]

Sunday results:

Salzburg vs Klagenfurt 2-3 SO
Villach vs Graz 8-3
Dornbirn vs Innsbruck 4-5 OT
Vienna vs Bratislava 5-1
Ljubljana vs Znojmo 6-4

Standing (by points per game):

1. Ljubljana 2.30 (GD +13)
2. Fehervar 2.10 (+11)
3. Dornbirn 1.80 (+3)
4. Salzburg 1.70 (+7)
5. Klagenfurt 1.70 (+5)
6. Bolzano 1.66 (-3)
7. Villach 1.55 (+9)
8. Znojmo 1.50 (+3)
9. Bratislava 1.44 (+1)
10. Innsbruck 1.36 (-9)
11. Vienna 1.11 (-2)
12. Pustertal 1.00 (-11)
13. Linz 0.90 (-12)
14. Graz 0.90 (-15)

Ljubljana is having a sensational season so far. I still think they will start to drop sooner or later (they are among the top PP and PK teams in the league right now and I'm not convinced that's going to be entirely sustainable), but it's impressive that they're leading the league after 10 games and they have a very good chance to make the playoffs – contrary to all expectations.

Fehervar was expected to be strong and they haven't failed to deliver. They should be one of the teams to beat this season and unlike Ljubljana, no (continued) miracle is going to be required for them to stay among the top in the league. Their special teams still have room to improve.

Dornbirn is having a surprisingly strong start. Usually their late signings mean that they struggle early on and improve later as the season proceeds. They are solid and look like a playoff team, although I don't think they're consistent enough to stay where they are now.

Salzburg is doing pretty well. Lately they've been struggling with multiple injuries, but they have enough depth to still get points and should not only be able to defend their top 4 spot over the long run, but they might improve upon it. Their special teams need to do better though.

Klagenfurt has had a mixed and uneven season so far with an alarming number of underwhelming performances. Their relatively easy schedule (Vienna [x2], Innsbruck [x2], Linz, Pustertal) makes their point total look a bit better than they actually have been. They will need to step up their game if they don't want to slip out of the top 6.

Bolzano has been somewhat underwhelming, but they're nevertheless on a direct playoff qualification spot (top 6).

Villach has really turned it on after a weak start into the season – not a big surprise to me, considering their deep roster. They're trending upwards and look like a good bet to make the top 6.

Znojmo is pretty much where they were expected to be: right in the mix. They score a lot, but concede too much and take too many penalties. Top 6 is going to be a tall order, but it's too early to count them out.

Bratislava is doing a lot better than last year and should be expected to finish anywhere between #7 and #10.

Innsbruck has showed improvement over the last two weeks, but is that going to be enough to make the pre-playoffs (#7 to #10)? They either need to improve their special teams or stop taking penalties if they want to have a chance.

Vienna has had a disastrous season so far. Lately they have finally done a bit better and with their roster additions, they should be able to make up some ground and crack the top 10. Nevertheless, even that is a punch in the gut for their fans who are used to much higher ambitions.

Pustertal has been struggling after a strong start. They don't have enough depth and will be hard-pressed to make the pre-playoffs if there's no significant change.

Linz has been disappointing so far. After a very bad last season expectations were a lot higher this season and so far they've fallen way short. Instead of being a playoff team, they're now happy to not be dead last anymore.

Graz is a mess. They continue to not play well, score too few goals and concede far too many. Whatever coach Jens Gustafsson is doing, it is not working at all. How long until he is replaced?

 

[SoundAndFury]

Honestly, Ljublijana is making the league look bad Great season for Leclerc though, it's his 5th country in 3 years.

 

[Theokritos]

Honestly, Ljublijana is making the league look bad

True!

Great season for Leclerc though, it's his 5th country in 3 years.

13 months ago he had a tryout with Dornbirn and didn't get a contract, despite looking pretty fine...

---

Game today:

Bratislava vs Salzburg
19:15 CET = 13:15 EST
The visitors play with a depleted lineup due to injury woes, but Salzburg B must not be underrated, as Klagenfurt has recently learned. But for Bratislava this is the kind of game they should get something out of if they want to make the top 10.
Stream (pay): https://live.ice.hockey/watch/game/5kw3227ar4ukue633uw