The Steinbach Black Wings Linz will start their test game program in Zell am See tomorrow. In the first of a total of six trial runs before the start of the championship, the Upper Austrians meet the Kassel Huskies from the DEL2.
Exactly a week after the resumption of their team training, the Steinbach Black Wings test their processes under competition conditions for the first time. At the invitation of the Kassel Huskies, as in the previous year-there will be a duel with the ambitious DEL2 team. At that time the encounter took place in Linz and ended after an intensive exchange of blows with a 2-2 draw before the guests from Northern Hesse narrowly prevail in penalty shootout. Afterwards, the Huskies also confirmed their ambitions to promotion to the highest German division for the 2024/25 season. For the third time in a row, the head of Head Coach Todd Woodcroft secured victory in the main round. In the quarter -finals, the leaders Freiburg swept out of the competition with a sweep, but then failed surprisingly in the semi -finals on Dresden. The later master prevailed 4-2. As a result, there were several personnel changes in the off-season-especially on the import position. Six new additions from overseas, Russia and Finland are now strengthening the team. However, the most prominent newcomer comes from its own country: the former international and 800-time DEL veteran Laurin Braun ends his successful career in Kassel. The now 34-year-old winger won the German championship three times with the Eisbären Berlin.
Lockroom update
For head coach Philipp Lukas, the show of strength in Zell am See offers an initial interesting location. With only four new additions compared to the previous season, the coaching team seamlessly ties in with its proven philosophy. In the first game since the bitterly in the seventh semi -final game last season, the Upper Austrians are primarily concerned with finding the rhythm of the game again after an intensive training week. An internal three-against-three match took place last Friday, in which Brian Lebler and Co. Niklas Würschl and Henrik Neubauer, who had to pause at short notice, returned completely to team training on Monday. Head Coach Philipp Lukas will still use the preparation for some different formations.
After the start in Zell am See against Kassel, the Linzer will invite you to the home doubles against Liberec (CZE) and Nitra (SVK) next week. All season ticket owners enjoy free admission. Individual tickets are available online at Tickets.blackwings.at and at the box office. Attention for all business partners: The VIP area is only open for league operation!
Voices:
Head coach Philipp Lukas: “We are not quite finished with our game in all three zones, but it is still a good opportunity to play a test game against a strong opponent early on. This means that we have the first opportunity to implement what we have rehearsed in training – and to gain new insights into which we can continue to build up. From which personnel constellations we would like to look at, but we also consider whether certain players really play all six games. ”
Patrick Söllinger: “It is great to finally be with the boys and go back on the ice. The first training sessions are always hard, but that’s exactly what you are looking forward to – to start the season well. The fact that we also had ice age this year was a very important step for us in Linz and brought us a lot. Even if we only have four newcomers, every year begins. Kassel is a strong opponent and the first hardest where we can see where we And what we have to work on. “
Kassel Huskies (DEL2) – Steinbach Black Wings Linz
📅 Pre-Season, game 1: Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Kekelit Arena in Zell am See
📺 Livestream: TBA
blackwings.at, picture: Black Wings Linz/Eisenbauer
