VSV Faces Graz99ers in Final Match Before International Break
The EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV travels to face the reigning champion Moser Medical Graz99ers on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 17:30 at the Merkur Eisstadion in Graz, according to a team report by ecvsv.at. Villach enters the matchup following a narrow 3-2 defeat against league leader HCB Südtirol Alperia on Wednesday, while Graz secured a 3-1 home victory over EC-KAC on Friday.
Standings Contrast and Recent Form
VSV currently sits in tenth place in the win2day ICE Hockey League standings with 20 points collected across 14 games. The Graz99ers occupy sixth place with 27 points from 16 matches, having won five of their last seven outings under head coach Dan Lacroix. Villach’s recent schedule includes a 2-3 overtime loss to HC Falkensteiner Pustertal and a 2-4 defeat to Graz on October 16, balanced by a 4-1 win against Ferencváros and a 4-0 shutout over Innsbruck.
Chasing a Broken Head-to-Head Streak
The visiting Villach squad attempts to snap an eight-game losing streak against Graz that stretches back to September 28, 2025, including a sweep in last season’s playoff quarterfinals. Head coach Pierre Allard brings a healthy roster to Graz, with all players available after a rest day on Friday. Graz counters with an offense led by US forward Nick Swaney, who tops the team scoring charts with 20 points from 15 games, alongside key contributors Josh Currie and Paul Huber.
Special Teams Efficiency and Goaltending Shifts
Villach boasts the league’s top penalty-killing unit, successfully neutralizing 49 of 58 shorthanded situations for an 84.48 percent success rate. The team’s power play converts at 21.74 percent, ranking seventh in the league. Graz holds an 82.09 percent penalty-killing efficiency and a 16.67 percent power-play mark. In goal, the Graz99ers rely on Finnish netminder Henri Kiviaho, who joined the club following a long-term injury to starting goaltender Maxime Lagacé.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Matchup
Where can viewers watch the Graz99ers versus VSV game live?
The match broadcasts live on ORF Sport+ and through the Radio Kärnten Eishockey-Magazin beginning at 17:30 on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
What is VSV’s current penalty-killing rank in the league?
Villach ranks first in the win2day ICE Hockey League penalty-killing standings with an 84.48 percent success rate, having allowed just nine goals in 58 shorthanded situations.
Who leads the Graz99ers in scoring this season?
US forward Nick Swaney leads the Graz offensive statistics with eight goals and twelve assists for a total of 20 points across 15 games.
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