Adler Mannheim vs Graz99ers

Currie needed just nine seconds to open the scoring, converting past Mannheim goalkeeper Franzreb to stun the German runners-up. The fourth line kept the pressure on, and Jakob Lippitsch made it 2-0 in the fifth minute. Currie added his second in the 12th minute, finishing a Kevin Roy pass from close range to put Graz 3-0 up inside the first period.

Mannheim hit back in the second period. Jeremie Poirier reduced the deficit in the 32nd minute, but Graz restored their three-goal cushion when Tim Harnisch fired home a slick powerplay goal in the 37th minute, with assists from Roy and Marcus Vela. Anthony Greco answered immediately for Mannheim, scoring at the far post in the 40th minute to make it 4-2 at the second intermission.

The third period saw Mannheim pile on pressure while Graz spent significant time shorthanded — including a 1:14 stretch of 5-on-3 disadvantage that they survived through disciplined penalty-killing. Mannheim pulled their goalie in the final minutes, and Luke Esposito scored with 16 seconds left to make it 4-3, but Graz held on to secure the win.

Graz's lightning start — three goals inside 12 minutes — effectively decided the contest. Mannheim spent the remaining 48 minutes chasing a lead that proved one goal out of reach, despite dominating long stretches of the final two periods. The 5-on-3 penalty kill midway through the third period was the defining stand: Graz absorbed sustained Mannheim pressure without conceding, and the visitors never got closer than one goal.

• Josh Currie (Graz99ers) — Two goals inside 12 minutes, including the opener after nine seconds. The match-winner in every sense.
• Nico Wieser (Graz99ers) — Strong performance in goal, especially during the third-period onslaught and the 5-on-3 penalty kill.
• Kevin Roy (Graz99ers) — Assisted on two goals (Currie's second and Harnisch's powerplay strike), central to Graz's offensive transition.
• Luke Esposito (Adler Mannheim) — Scored the late consolation and was a threat throughout, though his goal came too late to change the result.

Mannheim outshot Graz for extended stretches, particularly in the third period, but the scoreboard tells the real story: three goals conceded in the first 12 minutes — a period in which they managed zero of their own. The 5-on-3 penalty kill Graz survived in the third period was the statistical fulcrum; Mannheim generated multiple high-danger chances but converted none. Graz's powerplay, by contrast, was clinical: one opportunity, one goal (Harnisch, 37th minute).

This was purely a pre-season friendly, but the result carries significance for Graz99ers. After losing both the regulation game and the exhibition shootout to Mannheim on 13 August, they bounced back to claim their first win against the German club in six meetings across all pre-season editions. The H2H record now reads Adler Mannheim 5 wins, Graz99ers 1 win.

Both sides continue their pre-season schedules. Graz99ers return to Austria to prepare for the 2026-27 ICE Hockey League season, while Adler Mannheim continue their build-up toward the DEL campaign.

Graz's explosive start was the difference. Mannheim showed enough in the middle and late stages to suggest they will be competitive once the season starts, but the lesson from Kitzbühel is clear: a three-goal deficit against a team of Graz's quality is too deep a hole, even in pre-season.