The Black Wings showed the virtues that the 42-year-old Viennese expects against the highly regarded semi-finalist of the past season: unconditional commitment, irrepressible will to win, pure passion, playfulness – and of course discipline.
Linz only conceded their first two of only four penalty minutes at the beginning of the third period (43rd). At this point, the Upper Austrians were not undeservedly leading 2-0. That was also due to Brian Lebler. Who else but the goalscorer on duty should have made it 1-0? The 34-year-old captain sank the puck after just 37 seconds – not all of the 2,500 or so fans in the Linz-AG-Eisarena had yet found their seats – to make it 1-0. It was Lebler’s 325th goal in his 576th league appearance.
Incidentally, at the opening match of the past season (September 17, 2021), the then 2170 Black Wings supporters had waited in vain for a goal. The eventual champion Salzburg triumphed 4:0. This time the Villacher SV with the former Linz champion maker Rob Daum should pull without points.
“We want to transfer this energy that is within us to the ranks,” said defender Martin Schumnig, who as a KAC veteran likes victories over VSV particularly well. “The motivation is particularly high there,” added the 33-year-old. Andreas Kristler, who made it 2-0 in the 33rd minute after an ideal cross pass from Logan Roe, had a “blue” past himself. From 2006 to 2011 he skated in the Villach jersey. “I feel really comfortable in Linz,” says the 32-year-old from Carinthia, who gave a moment of shock yesterday. After a check and a shoulder grab (13′), Kristler disappeared into the dressing room, only to come back impressively after a short treatment break (15′).
“Haven’t seen anything like this for a long time”
Nevertheless, the “Man of the Match” award went to someone else – goalie Rasmus Tirronen, who was the rock in the final pressure phase of VSV. The Finn parried 28 of the 29 shots, only against Elias Wallenta he was powerless (45th). With the final siren, huge cheers erupted. “Oh, that’s nice, you haven’t seen anything like that for a long time,” chanted the fans. Maybe they’ll celebrate again on Sunday (5.30 p.m.) when the Graz 99ers come to Linz.
Already today (7.15 p.m.) the Steel Wings have their home premiere in the Alps Hockey League – against the Sterzing Broncos
Source: Nachrichten
