The Straubing Tigers got off to a sensational start netting two goals in the first period against Austrian side Villach SV in their final Group Stage game. German defenceman Marcel Brandt opened up the scoring at 3:03, letting a slapshot rip from the high slot to beat Villach netminder Alexander Schmidt. 

Sandro Schönberger collected his first goal of the night, picking up a rebound to make it 2-0 for Straubing minutes later. Despite a handful of attempts, the Austrians were unable to get on the board before the period intermission making it a quiet night for Straubing netminder Florian Manuel Bugl.

The German hosts continued to dominate all zones in the second stanza, easily outshooting their guests. Canadian forward Luke Adam would make it 3-0 for the Tigers after a neat stretch pass connected to find the blade of the forward's stick. Adam struck again at 34:43, this time a quick release off the backhand, courtesy of a perfectly timed pass from Parker Tuomie. With a 4-0 lead in tow the Germans would head into the changerooms with a comfortable lead.

With the second period done and dusted, the Austrians had a huge deficit to claw back from, but the pressure from Straubing was relentless. The Germans controlled the game cleanly, and their lead would be further extended by top scorer Taylor Leier. The Canadian forward picked up a pass from blueliner Brandt, and with the right side of the net completely open, wristed the puck home.

Cody Lampl netted his first of the night at 53:00 to make it 6-0 for the hosts. Sandro Schönberger and Tim Brunnhuber would add goals seven and eight to the scoreboard, and with the chances of a Villach comeback rapidly diminishing, the clock would wind down, with the final tally 8-0 in favour of the Straubing Tigers.

The victory by the German newcomers secures a 5-1 record during the Group F games, while Villach have suffered a 1-5 record, making this season a tough return to Europe's elite club ice hockey competition.

While this game marks the end of the road for Villach, Straubing will look forward to a new series of challenges as they enter the Round of 16.