The successful run of the Steinbach Black Wings goes into overtime. With a final energy performance, the Linz ice hockey cracks beat HC Pustertal, who had arrived at the bottom, 2:1 (0:0, 0:0, 2:1). It was the fourth win in a row, a strong piece.
Even the start was promising, the EHC put the Italians on the defensive and forced the first overtime game after only 39 seconds. But the opponents fought back, especially goalkeeper Tomas Sholl, who thwarted three big chances for the Wings. Emilio Romig (24th) and Michael Haga (33rd, 40th) had approached the goalkeeper three times alone. Without success.
Something like that takes revenge, albeit in an unconventional way. The fouled Olivier Archambault carried the puck over the line from an extremely acute, almost impossible angle – 0:1 (45th). However, the disc would not have gone in if the unfortunate goalie Thomas Höneckl had not thrown it over his own line (in slow motion) when trying to defend himself. That is bitter.
An impressive turn
Now it needed a reaction, which should come. Linz stormed with the courage of desperation and rewarded themselves. Marc-Andre Dorion, of all people, who was only raised by the Steel Wings because four men (Goalie Tirronen, Todd, St-Amant, Lahoda) were out, turned away after 53:38 minutes, jubilant.
The flick of the 35-year-old French Canadian, who played his first match for the Black Wings in 2012, landed in the left corner of the cross. There was nothing for Sholl to hold onto with his vision blocked.
On top of that. 57.9 seconds before the siren and the threat of overtime, Stefan Gaffal, the specialist for late goals, struck. The player from Linz scored to make it 2-1. A week ago in Feldkirch, Gaffal saved the EHC in extra time ten seconds before the supposed end. Bravo.
“Only” 1743 fans in the hall
The scenery in the Linz-AG-Eisarena was quite manageable: after 2500 spectators had been counted in the season opening match against Villach (2:1) and 2100 had gathered against Graz (0:4), the 2000 mark could not be cracked this time . “Only” 1743 fans attended this duel with the latecomer from Bruneck. That’s surprising, especially since the Black Wings had beaten the drum with three successes en suite.
A special duel for Schumnig
On Sunday (5.30 p.m.) there should be more again. Encounters with the record champions KAC, who will come to the Untere Donaulände rested (because they don’t play today) are a train number in and of themselves. “I’m dying for this duel,” emphasized Martin Schumnig (33), who spent a total of 30 years with 785 competitive games with the record champions from Klagenfurt.
In the spring, the defender’s contract was not renewed. “It ripped the ground out from under my feet,” Schumnig admitted. “But it’s nice that a new door has opened.” The end of the KAC was ultimately a stroke of luck for Linz, where Dorion will probably play more games. Defenseman Daine Todd will be out for four to six weeks with the Black Wings due to a muscle injury.
Source: Nachrichten
