Release from 11.10.2026

KAC defenceman Preiml: “We have done good work in the games so far”

Short text 342 CharactersPlain text

With their 5-4 shootout win at Pioneers Vorarlberg, EC-KAC ended their losing streak and sit third in the win2day ICE Hockey League standings. On Sunday, the Klagenfurt side will host EC Red Bull Salzburg (5:30 pm, live on ORF SPORT + and Sporteurope.tv). Defenceman Maximilian Preiml talks about his season so far and the duel with Salzburg.

Press release 1482 CharactersPlain text

“We’ve managed to win another match. But it certainly wasn’t our best performance,” says Maximilian Preiml, looking back on the victory in Vorarlberg. “We need to be even more careful to avoid the turnovers we made.”

Confidence in defence
The 23-year-old has recorded one goal and two assists in nine league matches so far this season and boasts a strong plus/minus rating of +6. Together with Will MacKinnon, he forms a reliable defensive partnership. “We get on really well on the ice,” says Preiml. “We’ve done a good job in the games so far. We’re making sure we keep it tight at the back, capitalise on the chances that arise up front and get the puck to the net. We just want to carry on like that.”

Salzburg on the up
Their upcoming opponents from Salzburg have won their last three league matches in a row and have climbed to seventh place. In their 6–1 victory in Székesfehérvár, coach Alan Letang’s team impressively demonstrated that they are hitting form. However, in the season opener, KAC had won convincingly 7–1 in Salzburg.

“It certainly won’t be the same team as in the first game of the season,” warns Preiml. “They’ll come at us hard, especially in the first period. If we stick to our game plan for 60 minutes, cut out the turnovers and get the puck forward, we’ve got a good chance of winning.”

The match will be broadcast live on ORF SPORT + and Sporteurope.tv from 5.30 pm.