Fehervar has reached the ICE Hockey League playoff semifinals. © Vörös Dávid

Fehervar knocks out KAC – and Graz celebrates with them.

Fehervar is the last team to reach the ICE Hockey League playoff semifinals. The Hungarian club made history with their decisive victory over Klagenfurter AC – and the Graz99ers celebrated with them. Now, HC Pustertal's semifinal opponent has also been determined.

March 25, 2026

From: apa/nie

The Graz99ers are ice hockey champions for the first time ever. The Styrian team benefited from the elimination of record champions KAC in the ICE Hockey League quarter-final series against Fehervar and are the only remaining Austrian team in the semi-finals.

Klagenfurt suffered a 0-3 defeat in Hungary on Wednesday, losing the best-of-seven series 2-4. This meant the tenth-placed team from the regular season surprisingly prevailed against the second-placed team. Never before in the history of the ICE Hockey League has such a low-ranked team reached the playoff semifinals.

Fehervar vs. Graz – Pustertal in a duel with Ljubljana

For the first time since foreign teams joined the league, Austria's champion has already been decided after the quarterfinals. While it's the 99ers' first title, succeeding Red Bull Salzburg, a club from Graz has won the championship for the third time. Previously, only ATSE Graz had achieved this feat in 1975 and 1978. Graz will now face Fehervar in the ICE Hockey League semifinals, while Pustertal and Ljubljana will clash in the other semifinal.

Fehervar will face Graz in the semi-finals. © Vörös Dávid

Klagenfurt squandered a 2-1 series lead. After a 2-3 overtime loss in Hungary and a 3-4 defeat in front of their home crowd, the Carinthians suffered their third consecutive narrow defeat on Wednesday. Klagenfurt appeared unsettled after their recent losses, while the Hungarians, spurred on by their home fans, were more in control of the game and had a strong performance from goalkeeper Rasmus Reijola, who thwarted the visitors' best chance in the 18th minute.

It will be a bitter blow for KAC.

The second period proved even more disastrous for Klagenfurt. The 29-year-old Hungarian Csanad Erdely deflected a long-range shot from Joel Messner during a power play, making it a crucial save (28th minute). KAC's offense was largely ineffective, and they were also unlucky with shots hitting the post. This bad luck continued for the visitors in the final period, when Nicholas Petersen struck the woodwork (43rd minute). Just as Klagenfurt was pushing for the equalizer, the home team sealed the victory. The 33-year-old Hungarian Janos Hari secured the promotion. Finally, American Trevor Cheek added another goal (60th minute).

ICE Hockey League, Playoff Quarterfinals: Game 6

Fehervar – Klagenfurter AC 3:0
Goals: 1:0 Erdely (27.58), 2:0 Hari (55.44), 3:0 Cheek (59.29)

Audience: 4733
Final score in the series: 4:2 for Fehervar