Black Wings defeat DEL champion

Eight teams of the win2day ICE Hockey League were in action on Friday - and with mostly successful results. The highlight of the day was provided by the Steinbach Black Wings Linz, who won their home game in front of 2200 fans against the DEL champion and German record holder in a shootout. Already in the third minute, the Linz team took the lead through Norwegian newcomer Michael Haga. However, the Eisbären then increased the pressure and earned a 3:1 lead in the second period. The Upper Austrians fought their way into overtime with goals from Emilio Romig and Brian Lebler. The latter finally provided the game-winner there. For the Black Wings this was already the second win in the second preparation game.

Pioneers record first success as ICE team

The Pioneers Vorarlberg started successfully into the preseason. Right in their first preparation game as a participant of the win2day ICE Hockey League, the Vorarlberg team defeated EHC Freiburg from the second German league. After a goalless first period, Marcel Zitz scored the first goal for the Pioneers in the middle period. In the final period, Swedish newcomer Hampus Eriksson introduced himself with a goal. The final goal was scored by 19-year-old Yannik Lebeda, who made the final score 3-0.

Internal ICE duel goes to Fehérvár

Hydro Fehérvár AV19 and EC-KAC each played their first game of the preparation campaign in an internal duel. Last season's runners-up started the encounter with a lot of pressure and put the score at 2-0 until the eleventh minute through newcomer Brett Findlay and homegrown player Kristóf Retfalvi. Still in the first period Matt Fraser scored the equalizer. After a scoreless middle period, Nátán Vertes, the next Hungarian homegrown player, restored the two-goal advantage - but again Fraser was able to cut the deficit. Anze Kuralt made it 4:2 in the 57th minute. Paul Postma managed to connect again, but it was not enough for overtime.

Graz99ers record first preseason win

The Moser Medical Graz99ers celebrate a 3:2 victory after penalty shootout in the second preseason game against EC Bad Nauheim. The Grazers turned around a 0:2 deficit. The 99ers clearly dictated the game in the first 20 minutes, but they were too careless with the many scoring chances. The Styrians had to accept an unfortunate 0:1 deficit in the first period. In the middle period, the fans saw a similar picture. The 99ers found some top-class chances, but instead of the equalizer Bad Nauheim took a 2:0 lead. In the powerplay, however, the Grazers at least managed to score the equalizer through Norwegian newcomer Viktor Granholm a little later. The 99ers continued to set the tone in the final period and Ken Ograjensek finally scored the equalizer in powerplay. After a scoreless overtime, Granholm and Ograjensek provided the decision in the penalty shootout.

Pustertal defeats DEL team

In the third test game within eight days, the Wolves met a team from the DEL, the Bietigheim Steelers, at the Intercable Arena. In a fast game, newcomer Olivier Archambault provided the lead. In the second period, defender Daniel Glira made it 2:0 with a covered shot. But then the guests are successful in overtime and cut it to 1:2. In the final period, the Steelers initially push for the equalizer - unsuccessfully. In the final minutes, the Steelers took the goalie off the ice for a sixth field player, and Smith had to save the result three times with brilliant saves. Archambault finally scored an empty netter to make the final score 3:1.

Defeats for VSV and Innsbruck

EC IDM Wärmepumpen VSV had to accept a clear 2:7 defeat against the NLA club and CHL participant Rapperswill Lakers at the "World Class" ice hockey tournament in Wil, Switzerland. Chris Collins (1:5) and Robert Sabolic (2:6) provided the two goals for Villach. Tomorrow, Saturday, the Eagles are out to make amends against EHC Olten.

TC TIWAG Innsbruck suffered a narrow defeat after shootout in their first preparation game against the Iserlohn Roosters. A fast-paced first period, with chances on both sides, ended goalless due to strong goalkeeping performances. In the second period, the Sharks had more shares of the game and were also able to score for the first time. But Iserlohn came back strongly and took the lead until the end of the period. Despite numerous chances in the final period, the equalizer could not be achieved at first. Only ten seconds before the end and with six men on the ice Corey Mackin brought his team into the overtime. After a scoreless overtime, the game went into a shootout, which the Roosters won.

Picture: (C) Black Wings / Hannes Draxler