The Tigers, who haven’t suffered a defeat in the entire pre-season, set a high pace from the start. Linzer, who had to do without the injured Jakub Kubes, Alexander Lahoda and Julian Pusnik, defended. And that successfully: With a 0:0 and without really compelling chances, the Stadion am Pulverturm went into the break for the first time. After the break, the picture didn’t change at first: Straubing played more, but Linz didn’t allow anything compelling. And if he did, goalie Rasmus Tirronen was able to keep his box clean.
Haga scored the opening goal in Linz
In the 31st minute, Linz managed a quick transition and center forward Michael Haga completed a counterattack to make it 1-0 for the guests from Upper Austria. The DEL quarter-finalist from the previous season increased the intensity and scored a 1-1 draw through Jason Akeson (34th).
In the final section, Yannik Valenti (48′) was able to overcome Tironen for the second time that evening and put the hosts ahead. Linz stayed on, but in the final phase outnumbered, they had to accept the empty-net hit by Akeson to make it 1:3. Just prior to that, Black Wings captain Brian Lebler was sent to the shower after a stick hit with a 5-plus-game penalty.
“Despite the narrow defeat, we can be satisfied with the game again today. We held out against a very strong opponent until the end and we made a few steps forward in our system. In the future we will win games like this, because the boys showed a lot of commitment and passion again,” said Mark Szücs after the game.
Defender Raphael Wolf was also satisfied after the game: “They got the upper hand in the second period. But we can be satisfied that victory against a team like that was within our grasp. I think it’s going in the right direction. We’re playing faster, we’re getting better and better at body play, and if we go in the right direction, then the results will come in the championship.”
Linz’s next appearance in preparation for the new season is on Sunday at home against Budweis. Linz lost the “first leg” in the Czech Republic 4:6, from 5.30 p.m. there is a chance for revenge. Admission is free for season ticket holders, day tickets can be purchased at tickets.blackwings.at.
Source: Nachrichten
