Release from 10.03.2025

Linz and Pustertal on the Brink

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The intense quarterfinal series of the win2day ICE Hockey League continue on Tuesday with Game 5. While EC Red Bull Salzburg already punched their ticket to the semifinals on Sunday, the Steinbach Black Wings Linz and HC Pustertal are battling to keep their seasons alive. The matchup between the Upper Austrians and the Moser Medical Graz99ers will be broadcast live on PULS 24. Meanwhile, HCB Südtirol Alperia and EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV face off in Bolzano with the series lead on the line.

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Steinbach Black Wings Linz vs. Moser Medical Graz99ers
This series between the Steinbach Black Wings Linz and the Moser Medical Graz99ers has had everything a hockey fan could ask for. Three of the four games so far have gone to overtime. In total, 298 minutes and 43 seconds of playoff hockey have already been played in this series—nearly an entire extra game. This marks only the third time in the 25-year history of the win2day ICE Hockey League that three consecutive playoff games in a single series have gone to OT. The previous two instances also came in the quarterfinals: in 2016 between the spusu Vienna Capitals and EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV, and in 2018 between EC-KAC and HCB Südtirol Alperia. The current thriller between the Steinbach Black Wings Linz and Moser Medical Graz99ers could, however, come to an end on Tuesday. The Graz squad holds three match points to secure a semifinal berth, while Linz is facing a “do-or-die” situation. The Black Wings will once again rely on their home crowd to push them forward. The game will be broadcast live on PULS 24 and streamed on JOYN.

HCB Südtirol Alperia vs. EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV
Things are just as heated in the series between HCB Südtirol Alperia and EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV. Only one of the four games has gone to overtime, but the series remains deadlocked at 2-2. Tensions have been running high—after a hard-fought loss on Friday, the Villach side bounced back on Sunday in a physical battle. The series now shifts back to South Tyrol on Tuesday—a tough place for Villach to play, as they haven’t won there all season. The last time the Eagles claimed a victory in Bolzano was over two years ago. Since then, they’ve suffered nine straight road losses against the Foxes.

EC-KAC vs. HC Pustertal
EC-KAC has a chance to punch their ticket to the semifinals on Tuesday, while HC Pustertal is in danger of being eliminated by the “Rotjacken” for the second straight season. Unlike last year—when the KAC ended the Wolves’ run in the semifinals—Pustertal has at least managed to grab a win this time. A victory on Tuesday would put the South Tyroleans right back in the series—but every game from here on out could be their last. The Wolves have yet to win in Klagenfurt this season. Their last road victory against KAC dates back to November 24, 2023—since then, they’ve dropped seven straight at Heidi Horten Arena. With three match points in hand, KAC would advance to the ICE Hockey League semifinals for the third straight year with one more win.

win2day ICE Hockey League, 11.03.2025, Quarterfinals 5:
19:15 Uhr: EC-KAC – HC Pustertal
Referees: Fichtner, Smetana, Bärnthaler, Riecken | >> live.ice.hockey
Stand in der „Best-of-7“-Serie: 3:1

19:30 Uhr: Steinbach Black Wings Linz – Moser Medical Graz99ers
Referees: Hronsky, Ofner, Durmis, Konc | >> LIVE auf PULS 24

19:45 Uhr: HCB Südtirol Alperia – EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV
Referees: Piragic, Sternat, Mantovani, Zgonc | >> live.ice.hockey