After the away match in Graz on Sunday, the league goes into a nine-day international break, which even lasts twelve days for Linz due to the schedule. There is no closed season for Gerd Kragl and Stefan Gaffal, who will strengthen Austria’s national team at the 33rd edition of the Germany Cup (November 10th to 13th) in Krefeld against Slovakia, Germany and Denmark.
“We’ll mobilize everything we’ve got by the break. Difficult tasks await us. As we’ve felt first-hand, anyone can beat anyone in this league,” says Lukas of the bitter 2-3 defeat against Pustertal national holiday on.
The 6: 3 against Asiago around 50 hours later was the right reaction that makes you want more. Especially with Michael Haga, who crowned his four-point match with a dream goal. The Norwegian steered the puck lying behind the body into the net with the racket between his legs like a circus. The 30-year-old former Sweden and Finland legionnaire is this season’s revelation and number one in the championship with seven goals and 12 assists. An absolute dream transfer.
This nourishes the hope of putting Bozen in its place, especially since the South Tyroleans are by no means as consistent away from home as they are at home (seven games, seven wins). “We’re creating chances, that gives us self-confidence. If you work hard, it works,” said Linz striker Niklas Bretschneider confidently before the two mammoth tasks.
However, things are not going according to plan for the Steel Wings in the Alps Hockey League. After the seventh defeat en suite – the 2:4 against Unterland – the perspective team is cemented at the bottom of the table. Better times will come again.
Source: Nachrichten
