The Steinbach Black Wings travel tomorrow to Budweis to the next top -class away match. In traditional strength of strength during preparation, the Upper Austrians call for HC České Budějovice, on the hunt for the first success in the direct duel since 2019.
Next strength in the Czech Republic
The Steinbach Black Wings Linz will play their next test game on Thursday in Budweis. The HC České Budějovice has now become a real preparatory rival for the Stahlstädter – both teams met twice in the previous year. The Linzers had to accept clear defeats at home (0: 3) and away in the Budvar Arena (3: 7). In the past 2024/25 season, Budweis convinced with a strong basic round and took sixth place with 80 points. Although the team failed in the quarter -finals of the playoffs on the later runner -up Dynamo Pardubice, it goes into the new season with high ambitions.
In order to establish themselves in the upper third of the table, the squad was targeted in the summer: Róbert Lantoši, top scorer of the league competitor Liberec, changed according to Budweis and should give the offensive even more punch. In addition, the goalie talent Matyáš Mařík returns to his homeland in Finland after a year. On the defensive, Ondřej Vála, which comes with a lot of AHL experience from Pardubice, ensures additional stability. So far, Budweis has played two test games in the current pre-season: At the start, the EV Zug from Switzerland was lost 2: 3, after which it set a clear 0: 7 defeat against the Bílí Tygři Liberec.
Lockroom update
The Steinbach Black Wings Linz presented themselves again in a strong form against the HK Nitra last Friday at half -time of their test game series and prevailed in a competitive match with a lot of effort. With the game against Budweis, there is now a real endurance test-the traditional Czech club has become a regular opponent in the pre-season. In the last seven test game encounters against Budweis, however, the Upper Austrians remained without a win. The last success so far dates from August 16, 2019-a 4-1 home win in Linz AG Eisarena. Accordingly motivated, Brian Lebler and Co. start the next attempt to end the negative series. The return of several important players that head coach Philipp Lukas can welcome again in the line-up ensure additional confidence.
Julian Pusnik, Andreas Kristler and Patrick Söllinger return to the line -up for light injuries, on the basis of which they were last spared. Stefan Gaffal is expected to get back into training at the end of this week after his shock moment in the home game. Luka Maver, on the other hand, is less gratifying: the Slovenian striker laboratories on a lower body injury and will no longer be used in the current pre-season. However, he hopes for a timely return to the start of the season on September 12, when the Pioneers are guests in Linz AG Eisarena.
After the test game in Budweis, the Steinbach Black Wings Linz will play their last preparatory game in front of a home crowd next Tuesday. The opponent is the Slovak extra league from Zvolen. Individual tickets are available online at Tickets.blackwings.at and at the box office.
Voice Emil Romig:
“I am just happy to be able to stand on the ice again after so long, and enjoy every moment. Of course you dream of getting back and leaving an impact again. The fact that the puck will really jump for me as before is of course nice. For the short time that we as a team so far on the ice, progress is really clearly noticeable. With Budweis we have an opponent that shows us every year. Do not remember that we have ever won since I am here.
blackwings.at Image: BwL/Draxler
