For the Pioneers Vorarlberg, the fourth season in the Win2day Ice Hockey League begins with the guest appearance at the Black Wings Linz. After a total of six test areas, it is finally about points, the head of head coach Johannes Nygard was able to recharge with the 7-2 in the final pre-season game against the ice pirates Crimmitschau.
PIV balance sheet in Linz is expandable
In the past season, three out of four direct duels went to the Upper Austrians, in the steel town the grapes traditionally hang up. The Black Wings played a remarkably strong pre -season, as the qualification at the semi -finals showed, where you only failed in seven games. The Linzers want to be there again this season. The squad has changed a little, especially service providers such as Knott, ST-Amant or ex-pioneer Maver remained part of the Black Wings. The departures of Scheid, Wolf and Stuart are to compensate for newcomers such as Ryan Mackinnon or Travis Barron (for the first time in Europe, over 300 missions in AHL) or Luis Lindner (back from overseas), Tim Geifes and Aljaz Predan. Philipp Lukas is still responsible for the gang. Like the Pioneers, the Linz played six test games, four of them were won.
Anticipation for the start
The newly formed team of the Pioneers showed good approaches in the preparation, a certain chemistry in the line composition was recognizable, even if the complete squad could never be used due to injuries.
For PIV-HEAD Coach Johannes Nygard, it is the first competitive game as the main person responsible in the gang. It is still open whether the neo-coach can also fall back on Rotunier Daniel Woger. “Behind the Wogi’s use this weekend there is still a small question mark. We want to be sure that he is one hundred percent healthy when we use it.”
When asked what the coaching team awaits from the start in Linz, the Finn replied: “Of course we are all looking forward to the first competitive game! Our pre-season was positive and the attitude of the players was very good over the entire six weeks of preparation. Our focus is that we have a clear identity from the start. Competitive game!
Steinbach Black Wings Linz – Pioneers Vorarlberg
Friday, 09/12/2025, 7:15 p.m., Linz AG Eisarena
www.pioneers.hockey, Image: BwL / Eisenbauer
