After the 0: 3 home defeat against HC Pustertal, in which the EC IDM heat pumps VSV showed an inadequate performance over long distances, the “Adler” now want to present themselves clearly. Already on today’s Friday evening, the blue-whites will be guest in Linz AG Eisarena near the Steinbach Black Wings Linz (starting at the game: 7.15 p.m., live on the Radio Carinthia ice hockey magazine and on Sporteurope.tv). There, the VSV wants to reappear with more determination, commitment and offensive power – and finally write again after three defeats.
The starting situation:
The EC IDM heat pumps VSV is ten after four season games with 4 points in the table: one victory, two defeats after regular playing time and a defeat after extra time are available with a goal balance of 7:14, which corresponds to a negative balance of seven hits. The next opponent, the Steinbach Black Wings Linz, is direct table neighbors.
The Stahlstädter played three games so far, won a win and had to take two defeats, with a goal difference of 11:10. The younger record also speaks for tension: Five from the last ten direct duels went to the villacies as well as to the Linz. However, recently the Upper Austrians had their nose ahead, because of the last five matches, the Black Wings decided four, only one was able to win the VSV. The goal balance from the perspective of the “eagle” is 14:21 in this period.
Blue and white stats & facts:
The four season games of the “Adler” so far illustrate that there is still potential to increase in some areas, although the penalty killing against Pustertal has already shown significant progress. So far, Villach survived seven out of 13 situations, which corresponds to a success rate of 53.85 %. The power play, on the other hand, remains a problem child: only one of twelve occasions led to a goal, while statistically almost 2.5 hits would have been expected in the majority. In the duels, Villach has so far been slightly below average, with a team quota of 49.63 %.
Defensive players Dylan Macpherson (51.9 %), Thomas Vallant (50.5 %) and Philipp Lindner (50.4 %), who each won more than half of their duels, are particularly striking. Macpherson also collected 13 Takeaways and is one of the four best defenders in this category. Physically, Thomas Vallant led the team, with 15 hits, seven blocked shots and a Corsi rating of 54 %. Nikita Scherbak is currently protruding offensive. He created most of the “eagles” chances, has a positive Expected goales of 1.18 and brought the most attempts on the opposing goal with 18 goal shots.
Friday, September 26, 2025 | 7:15 p.m.
Steinbach Black Wings Linz – EC IDM heat pumps VSV
Linz AG Eisarena (Linz, Austria)
www.ecvsv.at, Image: VSV/Krammer
