Ice hockey Linz rejoices

“It was unbelievably awesome – just like in the old days”

Linz's passionate fight swept the 4,500 fans from the stands.(Bild: GEPA pictures/ Christian Moser)

The Black Wings ice hockey cracks are more than overwhelmed after the emotional 3:2 victory in the Linz Hexenkessel. But there's hardly any time to rest, because after the 1:1 draw in the quarter-final series, Game 3 is already coming up in Salzburg on Thursday!

"The atmosphere in the arena was simply incredible," enthused the injured Niklas Würschl, who watched the game from the stands. "You could see it when I celebrated my goal - it really went through my body," beamed striker Nico Feldner.

And coach Philipp Lukas was also overwhelmed by what went down in the Linz AG EisArena on Tuesday evening: "It was a great play-off game, there was an incredible atmosphere in the arena - it was like the old days," said the former long-term captain. His Black Wings roused the 4,500 fans in the stands with a spirited fight - and downed Salzburg's more talented Bulls 3:2.

It was a great play-off game. There was an incredible atmosphere in the arena, it was like the old days!

Black-Wings-Coach Philipp LUKAS

"I'm proud of the way we presented ourselves. It's all about energy and intensity for us. We defended with everything we had, knowing that we need a huge game to win," said a happy Lukas. Also because they were able to overcome the 7-second shock when the Bulls tied the game at 2:2 with a brace.

Finally a powerplay goal
In contrast to the 0:4 in Game 1, the Linzers, for whom the changeover of the defensive pairs worked well, also created chances and scored - with Lebler's winning goal even on the powerplay, in which they had not scored in eight previous duels against the aggressive shorthanded play of the Bulls - which was perhaps one reason why the champions picked the Linzers. Who, as expected, proved to be tough!

"We always knew we had a good opponent. It was a good game from both teams, a lot of it is in the head. I also liked how we dealt with the fact that we were outnumbered and conceded 2-0 in this cauldron," said Bulls coach Oliver David, who will have to make do without top scorer Schneider, who is out injured, when the series returns to the city of Mozart on Thursday.

"Stay mentally strong"
Linz forward Nico Feldner knows the recipe: "We have to play the same way again, and this time we had the emotions better under control. Salzburg have a lot of talent, but if we go full throttle and stay mentally strong, we have a good chance!"