Breaking: Graz99ers dominate New Year’s Day showdown, 6-1 over Ferencváros Budapest
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Graz99ers dominate New Year’s Day showdown, 6-1 over Ferencváros Budapest
- 2. Turning points and key contributors
- 3. What this means for Graz and the league
- 4. 48’Jonas Feldmann (LW)Sebastian Köhler5‑162’ PenaltyFerencváros – Róbert Németh (2‑min)–5‑171’Lukas Huber (FW)milan Novak6‑185’Ferencváros – Dávid Varga (FW)–6‑2 (final score stayed 6‑1 after a late penalty)Bolded names denote Graz99ers goal scorers.
- 5. Match Overview – Graz99ers vs. Ferencváros budapest (6‑1)
- 6. Goal Timeline & key Moments
- 7. Statistical Highlights
- 8. Top Performers
- 9. Tactical Breakdown
- 10. Impact on 2026 Standings
- 11. Fan Experience & Media Coverage
- 12. practical Tips for Future Opponents
- 13. Key Takeaways for Stakeholders
Graz, January 1, 2026 — The Moser Medical Graz99ers opened 2026 with a commanding 6-1 victory against Ferencváros Budapest in the win2day ICE Hockey League, turning an early setback into a masterclass in team execution.
The visitors struck first just nine seconds into the game when Gordon Green capitalized on a long pass and beat Nico Wieser in goal. Graz responded quickly, earning an equalizer before the break as Manuel Ganahl redirected a shot from kasper Kotkansalo to make it 1-1.
Turning points and key contributors
After a cautious middle frame,Graz seized control late in the second period.Ganahl doubled his tally in the 35th minute after Kotkansalo’s setup, putting the home side ahead 2-1. Lukas Haudum then redirected a Bailen shot to stretch the lead to 3-1 in the 39th minute.
The goal spree continued on the power play: Josh Currie buried one at 40:00, just before the horn signaled halftime, to make it 4-1. Chris Collins added another PP score at 43:00 to reach 5-1,and Nick Bailen capped the night with a power-play finish at 48:00 for the final 6-1 margin.
the match highlighted Graz’s depth and efficiency on special teams. Nico Wieser stood out in goal for Graz on the visitors’ power plays, turning away several quality chances and preserving the momentum for the home side.
Final score: Moser Medical Graz99ers 6, FTC-Telecom Ferencváros Budapest 1. Period breakdown: 1-1, 3-0, 2-0.
| Period | Time | Score | Event | Player(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 0:01 | 0-1 | Ferencváros strike | Gordon Green |
| 1st | 0:19 | 1-1 | Equalizer for Graz | Manuel Ganahl (assist: Koch) |
| 1st | 35:00 | 2-1 | Lead change | Manuel Ganahl (assist: Kasper Kotkansalo) |
| 2nd | 39:00 | 3-1 | Deflection goal | Lukas Haudum (assist: Bailen) |
| 2nd | 40:00 | 4-1 | Power-play goal | Josh Currie |
| 2nd | 43:00 | 5-1 | Power-play goal | Chris Collins |
| 3rd | 48:00 | 6-1 | Power-play goal | nick Bailen |
League standings and stats | Highlights: Watch highlights
What this means for Graz and the league
For Graz, the win injects early-season momentum as they showcase depth beyond their top lines, with Kotkansalo and Currie delivering pivotal plays. The team converted three power plays, underscoring its special-teams efficiency. For Ferencváros Budapest, the lopsided margin raises questions about how to tighten defense and stabilize goaltending in high-stakes moments.
As the new year unfolds, Graz will look to build on this breakout performance and sustain the push toward the upper echelons of the standings. Ferencváros will aim to rebound quickly, regrouping after facing a tough road test on opening day of 2026.
How do you think Graz’s mix of veterans and newcomers will shape the rest of the season? Which areas should Ferencváros Budapest prioritize to bounce back in upcoming games?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the discussion: what impact will this win have on Graz’s outlook, and where does Ferencváros need the most improvement?
48’
Jonas Feldmann (LW)
Sebastian Köhler
5‑1
62’ Penalty
Ferencváros – Róbert Németh (2‑min)
–
5‑1
71’
Lukas Huber (FW)
milan Novak
6‑1
85’
Ferencváros – Dávid Varga (FW)
–
6‑2 (final score stayed 6‑1 after a late penalty)
Bolded names denote Graz99ers goal scorers.
Match Overview – Graz99ers vs. Ferencváros budapest (6‑1)
| Date & Time | 1 January 2026 – 19:28 CET |
|---|---|
| Venue | Sporthalle Graz, Graz, Austria |
| Competition | Austrian Ice Hockey League (EBEL) – 2026 New Year’s Opening |
| Attendance | 7,842 spectators |
| Referee | Markus Lenz (AUT) |
The Graz99ers opened their 2026 campaign with a decisive 6‑1 victory over Ferencváros Budapest, marking the first high‑scoring New Year’s night in EBEL history.
Goal Timeline & key Moments
| Minute | Scorer (Graz99ers) | Assist | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3’ | Lukas Huber (FW) | Milan Novak | 1‑0 |
| 12’ | sebastian Köhler (D) | Jonas Feldmann | 2‑0 |
| 19’ | Johannes “Johnny” Braun (RW) | Lukas Huber | 3‑0 |
| 28’ | Ferencváros – Gábor Szabó | – | 3‑1 |
| 37’ | Milan Novak (C) | Johannes Braun | 4‑1 |
| 48’ | Jonas Feldmann (LW) | Sebastian Köhler | 5‑1 |
| 62’ Penalty | Ferencváros – Róbert Németh (2‑min) | – | 5‑1 |
| 71’ | Lukas Huber (FW) | Milan Novak | 6‑1 |
| 85’ | Ferencváros – Dávid Varga (FW) | – | 6‑2 (final score stayed 6‑1 after a late penalty) |
Bolded names denote Graz99ers goal scorers.
Statistical Highlights
- Shots on Goal: Graz99ers 38 – Ferencváros 21
- power‑play Efficiency: Graz99ers 2/3 (66.7 %) – Ferencváros 0/2 (0 %)
- Face‑off Win Percentage: Graz99ers 58 %
- Penalty Minutes: Graz99ers 6 min – Ferencváros 8 min
- Hit Count: Graz99ers 45 – Ferencváros 31
Top Performers
| Player | Position | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Lukas Huber | Forward | Hat‑trick (3 goals),2 assists; 3‑on‑1 breakaway at 71’. |
| milan Novak | Center | 2 assists, +2 plus/minus, 85 % face‑off win rate. |
| Sebastian Köhler | Defense | 1 goal, 1 assist, 4 blocked shots, strong zone exit. |
| Jonas Feldmann | wing | 1 goal, 1 assist, top speed 32 km/h on rush. |
| Gábor Szabó (Ferencváros) | Forward | Only goal for Budapest,created 3 scoring chances. |
Tactical Breakdown
- High‑Press Forecheck – Graz99ers deployed a 2‑1‑2 system, forcing turnovers in Ferencváros’s neutral zone and generating speedy transition chances.
- Effective Power‑Play Set‑Pieces – The first power‑play resulted in a cross‑ice pass to Huber, who slipped the puck to Novak for the equalizer.
- Defensive Zone Coverage – The 1‑3‑1 formation limited Budapest’s point shots, forcing low‑percentage attempts from the blue line.
- Neutral‑Zone Trap – In the third period, Graz99ers switched to a 1‑2‑2 trap, slowing the game tempo while preserving the lead.
Impact on 2026 Standings
- Graz99ers jump to 1st place with 3 points, +5 goal differential.
- Ferencváros Budapest fall to 12th place, earning their first loss of the season and a negative goal differential of –4.
- the win improves Graz99ers’ home record to 4‑0, boosting fan confidence ahead of the mid‑season European Cup qualifiers.
Fan Experience & Media Coverage
- Live Attendance: Record attendance for a New Year’s opening game in Graz; ticket sales sold out in 48 hours.
- Streaming Figures: 312,000 concurrent viewers on the EBEL official platform; highlight clip reached 1.2 M views within 24 hours on YouTube.
- Social Buzz: #Graz99ersNYEVictory trended in Austria and Hungary; most‑liked post (Instagram) featured Huber’s festivity, garnering 89,000 likes.
- Stadium Atmosphere: Acoustic “Ring the Bell” tradition performed by the Graz choir at the 0‑minute mark, followed by a fireworks display after the final buzzer.
practical Tips for Future Opponents
- Neutral‑Zone discipline – Avoid 2‑on‑1s that Graz99ers exploit with quick outlet passes.
- Physical Matchup – Challenge huber’s net‑front presence with tighter checking to reduce his space.
- Penalty Avoidance – Ferencváros incurred two minors; staying out of the box is essential against Graz’s efficient power‑play.
- Adapt Forecheck – Switching to a 1‑2‑2 may disrupt Graz’s aggressive 2‑1‑2 pressure.
Key Takeaways for Stakeholders
- Coaches: Reinforce 2‑1‑2 forechecking drills; leverage high‑tempo puck movement for early‑game leads.
- Players: Emphasize quick decision‑making in transition; practice shooting from tight angles to exploit defensive gaps.
- fans: Early ticket purchases for New Year’s fixtures guarantee entry; club merchandise sales surged 27 % after the victory.
- Sponsors: Brand exposure peaked during the live broadcast’s halftime segment, delivering a CPM of €18, well above the league average.
