EC Red Bull Salzburg continues the basic round of the win2day ICE Hockey League on Friday with the away game against the Steinbach Black Wings Linz (7:15 p.m., ORF Sport+) and would like to seamlessly build on yesterday’s home win against Feldkirch.
The Red Bulls clearly dominated the guests from Vorarlberg and this time they also scored points by converting their chances well. They now want to act just as compactly in Linz and pose problems for the Black Wings in their own hall.
Initial situation
Derbies between the Red Bulls and the Black Wings Linz always have their own special flavor. In the second away game in Linz – the Upper Austrians won the first match at the beginning of October 3-2 in extra time – the Salzburg team are once again preparing for a close and emotional match. The Red Bulls have recently regained their self-confidence with three wins in a row and want to score points again with a compact performance from all four lines and further consolidate their 6th place in the table.
Meanwhile, the people of Linz are unpredictable. In the last ten games, victory and defeat have alternated regularly, which means that the Upper Austrians are currently in 10th place in the table. Among other things, they recently lost at home against the Pioneers Vorarlberg 3:5, only to wrest a 3:2 victory from HC Pustertal the following day. Yesterday they had to admit defeat 4:7 in Bolzano. In any case, the Red Bulls are expecting a fierce home team that will do everything to defend 10th place, which means a pre-playoff spot.
Defense will decide
Despite placing in the bottom third of the table, Linz is still one of the more offensive teams in the league. With 88 goals scored, the Upper Austrians are the fifth strongest force, the Red Bulls are in 7th place with 83 goals. On the other hand, with only 62 goals conceded, Salzburg still has the second best defensive bulwark in the league (behind Ljubljana with 59 goals). The Black Wings are ranked 11th in this ranking with 95 goals conceded.
Statement by Dennis Robertson
“We have stumbled a little in the recent past, so the win against the Pioneers obviously feels good. I think it was good preparation for the game against Linz. Playing there is always a big challenge and we have to be really sharp again. Regardless of their current performance – we know what they can do in their arena and expect a tough, physical game.”
Season duel Red Bulls vs. Steinbach Black Wings Linz
10/5/25 | Steinbach Black Wings Linz – EC Red Bull Salzburg 3:2 (0:1, 1:0, 1:1) OT
11/21/25 | EC Red Bull Salzburg – Steinbach Black Wings Linz 4:0 (2:0, 1:0, 1:0)
Eternal record Red Bulls vs. Steinbach Black Wings Linz
Since 2004: 138 games | 80 wins RBS | 58 wins in business administration
Last ten games: NSSSSNSSNS
The last ten away games: SSNSNNSNSN
win2day ICE Hockey League
Steinbach Black Wings Linz – EC Red Bull Salzburg
Fri, December 19, 2025 | Linz, 7:15 p.m
Livestream | ORF Sport+
ecrbs.redbulls.com , Image: EC Red Bull Salzburg
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