Because HC Bozen brought KAC to their knees 4:3, the Steinbach Black Wings Linz are no longer at the top of the table in the ICE Hockey League. That’s not a broken leg in this early phase of the championship. The Upper Austrians, who are always struggling with failures, are in a much better position than expected.
23 points from twelve games are worthy of all honor, in the comparison period of the abysmal last season, just ten points jumped out. A fresh wind is blowing under neo-coach Philipp Lukas, which should also carry the Black Wings through the next four matches – all in front of a home audience.
First up on Wednesday (5.30 p.m.) are the Pioneers Vorarlberg, who are second to last, in the Linz AG Eisarena, on Friday (7.15 p.m.) Asiago, bottom of the table, comes to the Untere Donaulände, on November 1st (5.30 p.m.) Bozen and on November 4th November (7:15 p.m.) Salzburg.
“Our fans are amazing, they help us to push our limits and give everything we can,” said Norwegian striker Michael Haga, who gave it his all. With 15 points (five goals, ten assists), the 30-year-old is number two in the league behind Adam Helewka from Innsbruck’s “Haien”.
Almost more pleasing is the development of Stefan Gaffal, who is the only Austrian in the top 24 with seven goals and five assists in seventh place. Lukas’ trust in the 25-year-old from Linz, who made his debut in the upper house at the age of 16 (with the Black Wings), is paying off. “There’s an incredibly good atmosphere in our dressing room, everyone pulls together. That impresses me,” says Gaffal, who has recorded six en suite scorer points. Again tomorrow?
Source: Nachrichten
