After three away games in a row, the Steinbach Black Wings Linz return to the Linz AG Eisarena on Friday. The Graz99ers are the opponents in Linz who ensured one of the most exciting quarter-final series in the club’s history last spring.
Even against the Pustertal Wolves last Sunday, the Stahlstadters couldn’t find a way to end their negative streak. When we return to the Linz AG Eisarena tomorrow, Friday, the opponent from last season’s legendary quarter-final series, the Graz99ers, will be waiting. As a reminder: In the quarterfinals, six of the seven games had to be decided in overtime. The Upper Austrians escaped do-or-die twice and ultimately prevailed in front of their home crowd. The demands of the people of Murstadt are once again high for the current season, which is why there were some changes to the squad over the summer. They had to say goodbye to nine players, including Trevor Gooch, Jimmy Oligny and Casey Bailey. Due to these departures, there were several new signings – especially in the offensive.
The Canadian Chris Collins moved from the Augsburger Panthers to Graz and was already able to gain experience in the AHL. He was also under contract in Villach from 2019 to 2023 and is therefore no stranger to the win2day ICE Hockey League. Nick Swaney and Josh Curry were also on the ice in the AHL and complete the new striker team. On Friday there will also be a reunion with Nico Feldner, who joined the Murstadt team after playing for the Black Wings for two seasons. To strengthen the defense, Anders Koch and Paul Stapelfeldt, among others, moved to the 99ers, the latter coming from reigning champions Red Bull Salzburg.
There is also a new face between the posts: Maxime Lagacé, who came to Graz from the Swedish top club Färjestad BK. He was previously active in both the AHL and the NHL. Head coach Harry Lange’s partly renewed team is currently in fourth place in the table. The Murstadt team has already had to go into overtime or a shootout five times this season, and four of these games were lost. There was another defeat against the Adler from Villach (3:4). Nick Bailen, who has already scored two goals and ten assists, has been particularly dangerous offensively.
Locker room update
Last weekend’s games have already been analyzed and processed and the focus is now entirely on the tasks ahead. For this, Niklas Würschl and Ken Ograjenšek return to the Steinbach Black Wings line-up, which means that head coach Philipp Lukas can draw on almost full personnel for the first time. Due to the current sporting phase, the team used the week without games for several internal meetings to work together on solutions and initiate the turnaround. With the Graz99ers, a strong opponent will be visiting the Untere Donaulände on Friday. At the same time, the duel offers the opportunity to build on the strong performances from last year’s quarter-final series, in which the Linz team impressed with strong nerves and determination.
Scarf choreo in the first power break
A fan campaign is also planned for the home game: At the first power break in the first third, the fans call for a scarf choreo. All visitors are invited to bring their scarves and be part of the choreo.
The second home double of the new season starts tomorrow against the Graz99ers. On Sunday, the Linz team will welcome their guests from Fehervar AV 19. Tickets for both games are available online at tickets.blackwings.at and at the box office.
Head coach Philipp Lukas
We had good phases in the last two games where we could have had a different result. We didn’t succeed. We have to get rid of our tension, it won’t be easy, but tomorrow we have a good opportunity to find a way to success here at home against a well-known opponent. We’re trying to take a step forward day by day, it hasn’t all been bad in the last few games. We have to focus on a few simple points in order to be able to play ice hockey freely again.
Brian Lebler
We have a good group in the dressing room and still have the full support of our fans. These two home games are very important for us this weekend. We have to find our best game again and find a way out of this situation. We haven’t forgotten this playoff series and Graz will also have that in mind, so it will be a real battle again.
blackwings.at Image: Black Wings Linz/Eisenbauer
