Release from 16.03.2025

Black Wings Linz Advance to Semifinals After Historic World-Record OT Series

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The Steinbach Black Wings Linz did it! The team from Upper Austria battled through a world-record series – never before in professional hockey history had six consecutive playoff games gone to overtime – and secured a 4-3 series win. In Game 7 of the win2day ICE Hockey League quarterfinals, Linz claimed a 3-2 OT victory. The game-winning goal and Linz’s first semifinal appearance since 2017/18 came in the 78th minute, courtesy of Brodi Stuart.

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Linz's quarterfinal showdown was nothing short of spectacular. Right in Game 1, which ended in a wild 9-6 win for Graz, a new playoff goal record was set, foreshadowing what was to come. From Game 2 onward, every single matchup went to overtime – setting a new world record in professional hockey.

With a sold-out crowd behind them, the Black Wings came out flying in Game 7. Mr. Game 7, Andreas Kristler, put Linz on the board just three minutes in on the powerplay. For the veteran, it was already his third goal in his third career Game 7. Riding the early momentum, Linz kept up the pressure, but Graz slowly found their rhythm and began creating chances. However, Rasmus Tirronen stood tall, denying every attempt in the opening period.

The intensity ramped up in the second frame. Graz took over the game and generated several high-danger scoring chances. In the 24th minute, Casey Bailey finally broke the deadlock with a heavy wrister from the right side, beating Tirronen to tie it up at 1-1. The Graz99ers kept pushing the pace, and after forcing a costly turnover, Stephen Harper ripped home his first-ever playoff goal for Graz to make it 2-1.

The final period started with Graz still on the front foot, creating the better chances. But as the clock ticked down, Linz turned up the heat. In the 57th minute, Niklas Würschl delivered a perfect setup for Shawn St-Amant, who made no mistake and buried the equalizer. The 28-year-old Canadian extended his point streak to an incredible nine games, with ten goals in his last nine outings. With the game tied late, overtime was once again inevitable – making it a world-record sixth straight OT game!

The 78th minute turned the Linz AG Eisarena into absolute bedlam. Linz's fourth line delivered the final dagger: After a dangerous attempt from Nico Feldner, Brodi Stuart pounced on the rebound and buried the game-winner to send Linz to the semifinals!

With this comeback, the Black Wings became the first team since 2010 to rally from a 1-3 series deficit. That year, Linz pulled off an even bigger feat, erasing a 0-3 deficit against Vienna to complete the reverse sweep. Since then, no other team has managed to overcome a 0-3 or 1-3 hole in the playoffs.

Now, the Black Wings Linz are back in the semifinals for the first time since 2017/18, where they will face Regular Season Champion EC-KAC.

win2day ICE Hockey League, Quarterfinals 7:
Sunday, 16.03.2025:
Steinbach Black Wings Linz - Moser Medical Graz99ers 3:2 O.T. (1:0,0:2,1:0)
Referees: SMETANA, STERNAT, Durmis, Riecken
Goals BWL: Kristler (3./pp1), St-Amant (57.), Stuart (78.)
Goals G99: Bailes (24.), Harper (37.),