After yesterday’s away defeat against Bozen, Linz’s next big test awaits tomorrow. The Stahlstadters want to respond against the reigning champions from Salzburg. Wearing special Christmas jerseys, the Upper Austrians also collect donations for a good cause at the Black Wings Ladies Charity.
In the early hours of the morning, the people of Linz returned from their long trip to Bolzano. For the third time in the current season, the Foxes had the upper hand and won 7-4 yesterday. Tomorrow, Friday, Brian Lebler and Co. will return to the Linz AG Eisarena and the fans can expect a really top game. In the last home game before Christmas, Linz will host the reigning champions from Salzburg. After a period of weakness, the Red Bulls have recently found their form again. Since their last meeting with the Upper Austrians, a 4-0 defeat in Salzburg at the end of November, Salzburg have suffered three defeats against Graz, Budapest and the KAC.
After a narrow overtime win against VSV, Salzburg were able to win 7-0 against the Pioneers from Vorarlberg yesterday. Their goalie David Kickert recorded his third shutout of the current season. Thanks to their last two wins, Salzburg are currently in sixth place in the table with 44 points.
One of Salzburg’s weak points is the many penalties that head coach Manny Viveiros’ team receives. With 315 minutes, they spend more time in the penalty box than any other team in the win2day ICE Hockey League. The Upper Austrians could use this susceptibility to penalties to their advantage tomorrow. With a power play efficiency of 22.35%, the Stahlstadters are one of the best teams in the league in this category. Yesterday too, head coach Philipp Lukas’ team was able to be successful in the majority. But Linz’s defense will also be challenged tomorrow against Salzburg’s strong attacking force. Thomas Raffl leads the internal scorers list with 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists). Troy Bourke is also a dangerous player who is currently in top form. The Canadian native contributed two goals and an assist in yesterday’s win against the Pioneers.
Locker room update
In yesterday’s match against Bozen, the Upper Austrians were chasing a 0-2 deficit in the first half of the game, but were able to turn the game around at the end of the third and scored the equalizer and the lead within 22 seconds. From the middle section onwards, the South Tyroleans dominated the game so much that the Stahlstadters were only occupied with defending and were hardly able to set their own tone on the offensive.
The personnel situation at the Untere Donaulände remains tense for tomorrow’s game against the reigning champions. Julian Pusnik and Aljaz Predan will also have to sit out tomorrow’s game due to illness. In their place, Jonathan Oschgan and Tim Geifes return to the lineup. In the last home game before Christmas, Brian Lebler and Co. will also be playing against the Bulls in their new Christmas jerseys. These are entirely available for this year’s Ladies Charity.
Ladies Charity
Tomorrow, Friday, the traditional Black Wings Ladies Charity will take place in the top game against champions Salzburg. This year there are cardholders from every player – with the chance to get their hands on the original worn Christmas jersey if they get a golden signature. The proceeds will be donated to three-year-old Josefina, who suffers from a rare genetic defect.
Tickets for the home game are available online at www.tickets.blackwings.at or at the box office. Seats are already completely sold out.
Voices:
Andreas Kristler: “Especially the second third was bad for us yesterday. We made so many turn-overs and just didn’t get the ball deep and we definitely have to do better tomorrow. But in the home game against Salzburg we obviously have to come like the fire department. It’s always an advantage at home, we feel very comfortable there, but we just have to give it 100 percent, shift after shift. We have to work hard and that’s what everyone in the locker room is expected to do.”
Steinbach Black Wings Linz – EC Red Bull Salzburg
📅 Basic round 30: Friday, December 19th, 7:15 p.m., Linz AG Eisarena
📺 Live stream: ORF Sport+
blackwings.at , Image: Black Wings Linz/Eisenbauer
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