Release from 31.03.2025

Linz clocks over 15 hours of playoff hockey

Short text 281 CharactersPlain text

This year’s playoffs have pushed the Steinbach Black Wings Linz to their absolute limits. Over the course of two intense best-of-seven series in the quarterfinals and semifinals, Linz has already spent a total of 15 hours, 15 minutes and four seconds on the ice – in just 13 games.

Press release 1513 CharactersPlain text

A quick look at the numbers highlights the extraordinary workload: Seven of their 13 games have gone to overtime, giving the Upper Austrians significantly more ice time than any other playoff team. For comparison: EC Red Bull Salzburg, already through to the finals, hasn’t even reached 10 hours of playoff hockey so far. That means Linz has logged more than 50% more ice time than their potential finals opponent.

Salzburg also holds the all-time record for the least amount of ice time on the way to a championship (since the introduction of the best-of-seven format): in 2022, they swept their way to the title, spending just 761 minutes and 40 seconds on the ice.

If Linz manages to win tomorrow’s Game 7 of the semifinals – live on PULS 24 – they’ll officially break the league record for most time on ice in a single playoff campaign. That record currently belongs to HCB Südtirol Alperia, who logged 20 hours and eight minutes during their run to the finals in 2023.

Should Linz make it to the finals, they’d be guaranteed at least four more games (240 minutes), which would put them well past Bolzano’s mark. By the way, Salzburg holds second place on the all-time list with 19 hours and 45 minutes from their runner-up season in 2018. Looking only at teams that went on to win the title, Salzburg also leads with 19 hours and 34 minutes from their 2023 championship run. If the Black Wings go all the way this year – they’d shatter that record too.