Release from 19.03.2025

Linz and Salzburg win in semi-final opener

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The Steinbach Black Wings Linz decided the fifth longest game of the win2day ICE Hockey League in their favour on Tuesday. The Upper Austrians won 3:2 at EC-KAC thanks to a goal by Brian Lebler in the 104th minute. In the second "best-of-7" semi-final series, EC Red Bull Salzburg took the lead against HCB Südtirol Alperia. The reigning champions scored three goals within four minutes and finally celebrated a 3:1 home victory.

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The Steinbach Black Wings Linz played their seventh overtime game in a row on Tuesday and came away victorious against the EC-KAC. The Upper Austrians prevailed 3:2 in the third overtime in the first semi-final duel. Head coach Philipp Lukas' team took the momentum from their Game 7 win against Graz into the semi-final. The Upper Austrians led 1:0 after the first period thanks to an individual effort by Graham Knott, and Shawn St-Amant scored in the 25th minute with Linz's first chance of the second period to make it 2:0. The visitors did not allow much in defence for a long time, and it was only an individual mistake that led to the first KAC goal when Raphael Herburger (36') converted a 2-on-0 situation. When goalkeeper Sebastian Dahm had already made way for a sixth skater, Matt Fraser equalised in the 59th minute. The Red Jackets set the tone, especially in the first period of over time, but hit the post three times. Brian Lebler finally scored the game-winner in the 104th minute - the fifth-longest game in league history. Game 2 will take place on Friday in Linz (7.30 pm, LIVE on PULS 24 and JOYN).

EC Red Bull Salzburg won their semi-final opener against HCB Südtirol Alperia 3:1. The team from Bolzano put in a strong performance at first and were closer to scoring the first goal than the hosts. However, the reigning champions set the course for victory in the middle period with three goals within four minutes. First Peter Schneider scored after winning a face-off, then Ali Wukovits completed a nice combination. The third goal was scored by captain Thomas Raffl, who held his nerve in front of HCB goalie Sam Harvey. The visitors got on the scoreboard in the second period through Braden Christoffer, but the score remained 3:1 until the end. The Red Bulls thus remain unbeaten in the 2025 playoffs, with game two of the best-of-7 series taking place in Bolzano on Friday.

win2day ICE Hockey League, semi-final 1
18.03.2025:
EC-KAC - Steinbach Black Wings Linz 2:3 OT (0:1, 1:1, 1:0)
Referees: HRONSKY, OFNER, Konc, Zgonc
Goals KAC: Herburger (36.), Fraser (59.)
Goals Linz: Knott (16.), St-Amant (25.), Lebler (104.)
Score in the "best-of-7" series 0:1

EC Red Bull Salzburg - HCB Südtriol Alperia 3:1 (0:0, 3:1, 0:0)
Referees: HUBER, NIKOLIC K., Nothegger, Puff
Goals Salzburg: Schneider (32.), Wukovits (34.), Raffl (36.)
Goal Bolzano: Christoffer (39.)
Score in the "best-of-7" series 1:0