Villach vs Dresdner Eislowen

The API-confirmed final score shows Dresdner Eislöwen winning 3-0, recording a clean sheet in their first test of the 2026/27 campaign. Specific goal-scorers and minute marks were not published by either club at the time of writing, but the shutout suggests VSV struggled to convert chances for the third straight preseason outing.

Dresden arrived in Villach having completed two intensive training weeks and a training camp in Carinthia since the squad assembled in early August. VSV head coach Pierre Allard had called for a reaction after the heavy loss to Zell am See, but the young Adler lineup — featuring a number of academy prospects — could not find a way past the Dresden defence.

While the exact sequence is unconfirmed, the clean sheet tells the story. VSV entered the game averaging 2.5 goals per preseason game but were held scoreless for the first time in their three friendlies. Dresden's defensive organisation, drilled by Šubr during the camp, appeared to keep the Austrian side at bay throughout the 60 minutes.

• Adam Helewka made his return to the Stadthalle Villach just months after leaving VSV for Dresden. The 30-year-old Canadian scored 27 goals and 22 assists in 52 games for Villach last season and was a focal point of the occasion, though his individual impact in the game itself is not detailed in available match reports.
• Dresden's defensive unit and the goalkeeper who earned the clean sheet deserve mention for stifling a VSV side that had scored four goals against Kassel earlier in the month.

The 3-0 scoreline extends VSV's worrying preseason form: 4 goals scored across three games against 14 conceded. Dresden, by contrast, will be encouraged by a debut performance that combined defensive solidity with three goals against an ICE Hockey League opponent. For context, VSV play in Austria's top division (ICE Hockey League), while Dresden will compete in DEL2 this season after relegation from the PENNY DEL.

VSV (0-3 preseason): Allard's side now face EV Landshut at home on 28 August before further tests against Starbulls Rosenheim (30 August) and Black Wings Linz (2 September). The search for a first preseason win continues.

Dresdner Eislöwen (1-0 preseason): The Eislöwen travel to Czech side HC Tábor on Sunday 23 August before returning home to face Bili Tygri Liberec on 28 August. Šubr's team-building process under way with a clean sheet and a win.

A preseason friendly tells you more about process than product, and both sides will draw different conclusions. Dresden executed their game plan cleanly and will build on the shutout. VSV's third consecutive defeat — and first without scoring — suggests Allard's side still have work to do before the ICE Hockey League season begins in September.