The Steinbach Black Wings Linz finally welcomes their fans in Linz AG Eisarena after the long summer break. In the second test game of the pre-season, the Stahlstadt residents meet the Czech extra league from Liberec.
The Steinbach Black Wings Linz will play their second preparatory game on Tuesday. The opponent is the Czech extra league Bílí Tygři Liberec. After a disappointing basic round, the “White Tiger” ended the 2024/25 season in 11th place. It was surprisingly early for Liberec – a greater change in summer was the result to meet the high ambitions in the upper table field again. Radan Lenc returned to the extra league in Sweden after several years and is said to set important accents on the offensive. With Filip Sandberg, another dangerous striker with AHL experience from Sweden came to the team.
However, Liberec had to give up his top scorer of the past season, Robert Lantoši, who switched to league competitor after Budweis. The long-time top team from the northern neighboring country wants to find back to the usual strength in the coming season. Tomorrow guests have been working much longer in the ongoing preparation: With Mladá Boleslav, Sparta Prague and Litvínov, the team of Head Coach Jiří Kudrna tested the emergency in three intensive encounters. The North Bohemia are still waiting for the first sense of achievement, but in all league tests only one goal decided – twice only in overtime. With ten goals in these games, the rows of storms already demonstrated their torrier.
Lockroom update
The Steinbach Black Wings Linz went to the second week of construction after a convincing first test game against the Kassel Huskies. The focus was also on the special teams for the first time. Head Coach Philipp Lukas will also rely on rotation on Tuesday and give one or the other player a break in order to primarily give the young cracks important ice age. The second team building event also took place last Friday, in which the team conjured up a five-course menu for their families. This Monday is the league -wide Media Day in Salzburg, in which numerous Linz players are also represented.
Voices
Head coach Philipp Lukas: “With Liberec we have an absolute top team as a guest and we are very happy about this option. Traditionally, Czech teams play with a lot of pace and a certain hardness-this is ideally prepared for the championship in this early phase. We look forward to the first big reunion with our fans in our own hall. Improvement by the new cooling system. “
Aljaz Predan: “The first test was already very successful – and of course very exciting for me. I am very happy that I was able to help my new team with a goal. The team quickly took me into their close circle, and especially my Slovenian compatriots support me very much. The first home game is again something very special, and I look forward to experiencing this unique atmosphere as part of the home association.”
Test game 2:
Steinbach Black Wings Linz – Bílí Tygři Liberec (CZE)
Tuesday August 19, 6:30 p.m., Linz AG Eisarena
www.blackwings.at, Image: BwL / Eisenbauer
