After the Steinbach Black Wings Linz had to admit defeat against Feirvár in the first away match, the second opportunity to score on strange ice cream awaits you tomorrow. This time the Linzer will be guest with the capitals.
Five days after the first test in Hungary, the team of Head Coach Philipp Lukas embarks on a not so long journey tomorrow. In round three, Brian Lebler and Co. meet the Vienna Capitals. The Viennese ended the past season in 10th place after the basic round and thus almost secured the last place in the pre-playoffs. However, the trip did not take a long time and Mario Fischer and Co. had to give up against Fehérvár with 1: 2. For the second time in a row, the final placement did not meet the sporting expectations of the capitals, which is why it was attacked to take great measures in the form of a comprehensive squad break.
Overall, the team of Head Coach Gerry Fleming recorded 13 departures: including defender Dominique Heinrich, who confirmed his career end and goalie Tyler Parks, who previously stood several seasons in the AHL and Echl on the ice and has a catch rate of 95.3%. The Austro-Slovenian Aljaz Predan, who is under contract with the Linzern from this season, is considered to be further departure. The center showed its skills in the first test game and scored the first goal for the Stahlstadt.
In addition to three internal extensions, the caps rely on 14 new players. Sometimes sam Antonitsch, who moved from Graz to Vienna and the former KAC Crack Senna Peters the roster. In addition, the Linzer meets the two former teammates Raphael Wolf and Lorenz Lindner in tomorrow. The newly established squad of the Viennese has so far been shown from different sides. So you could prevail in the pre-season in three out of six games, sometimes against Feirvár and Klagenfurt. After the failed start to the season in Laibach, where you had to take a 1: 8, the caps were recently able to save themselves from the misery with an overtime home win against Budapest.
Loose room update
After the hard exam in Hungary, the Upper Austrians will face a strong opponent tomorrow. Positive news is that Luka Maver, who had to pause until the end, will return to Head Coach Philipp Lukas. After the birth of his second child, Ryan Mackinnon also returns to the Stahlstadt defense. In tomorrow’s game, the focus is on the exploitation of opportunities. Although the Upper Austrians in Hungary were in front with 29:20 goal shots, it was just not enough for victory. In addition, the topic of physique will become significantly more important in the eternally explosive hit with the main city than in the two matches on the opening weekend.
Next Friday, September 26, 2025, Brian Lebler and co. back to Linz AG Eisarena. In the second home game, the Stahlstädter meet VSV. Tickets for this are available online at Tickets.blackwings.at and at the box office.
Voices:
We lost the better game we played and we won the game with which I was not so satisfied. Accordingly, we learn from the fact that it is still important to work on our game. We can take a lot of good things from Fehervar, except for the result and only have to find one way to the scoreboard. The organization of the caps has made a lot of effort through the offseason and had a relatively large turnaround in terms of players. We will surely have an exchange of blows tomorrow, we expect a tight and hard -fought game and have to be ready
Head coach Philipp Lukas
I believe that we are a competitive team, especially in the second game we showed an important increase in performance. It is about pursuing our goals that we set ourselves and believe that if we implement our game plan, we will be successful in the long run. Against Vienna, the game is always one with Derby character, it is always difficult, you are challenged and I’m really looking forward to it. I believe that the caps will be really strong, they have 14 new people, you have to find yourself, but you have absolute quality in the squad and you can be expected in the season.
Emil Romig
Blackwings, .at Image: BwL / Eisenbauer
