Release from 30.08.2026

Preseason wins for Graz, Linz and Ljubljana

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The Moser Medical Graz99ers, Steinbach Black Wings Linz and Olimpija Ljubljana all celebrated preseason wins on Sunday. Graz wrapped up the Energie Steiermark Trophy in second place following a 5-2 victory over Slovan Bratislava. HCB Südtirol Alperia also finished runner-up after falling to Red Bull München in the final minute of the Südtirol Summer Classic final, while EC-KAC took second place at the WellCard Trophy. EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV came up short against the Starbulls Rosenheim despite a strong comeback effort.

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Graz beat Bratislava to finish second
The Moser Medical Graz99ers concluded the Energie Steiermark Trophy with an impressive 5-2 victory over HC Slovan Bratislava. Despite missing several players, the Styrians controlled large stretches of the game. Nick Swaney opened the scoring early before Josh Currie and Kevin Conley gave Graz a 3-1 lead in the second period. Bratislava pulled one back on the power play, but captain Marcus Vela converted a two-man advantage before Kilian Zündel sealed the win with a shorthanded goal. The victory secured second place for the 99ers behind tournament winners HC Sparta Praha.

KAC fall to tournament winners Saskatchewan
EC-KAC suffered their first defeat in their fourth and final preseason game, falling 3-1 to the University of Saskatchewan in the closing game of the WellCard Trophy. Raphael Herburger gave the Red Jackets the lead after just two minutes, before the Canadians turned the game around with two goals 73 seconds apart in the middle frame. Despite creating several chances, KAC were unable to find another goal. Jaydon Dureau put the game away late with his second goal of the night. Saskatchewan claimed the WellCard Trophy ahead of EC-KAC, Milano Hockey Club and the Vienna Capitals.

Linz claim first preseason win
Steinbach Black Wings Linz picked up their first win of the preseason in the return game on the road against the Straubing Tigers. Kyle Topping put the Upper Austrians ahead in the opening period before Straubing turned things around to take a 2-1 lead. Niklas Würschl and Emilio Romig put Linz back in front in the third, but Tyler Madden tied the game late to force overtime. The Black Wings needed just 71 seconds of extra time to settle it, with Brady Shaw scoring the 4-3 game-winner.

VSV comeback falls short
EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV suffered a 7-4 home defeat against the Starbulls Rosenheim. After a difficult opening period, the Eagles found themselves trailing 3-0, but goals from Joel Teasdale and Felix Maxa cut the deficit to 3-2 in the middle frame. Rosenheim pulled away again to make it 5-2 before Villach mounted another impressive comeback: Teasdale and John Hughes struck just 49 seconds apart to make it a one-goal game at 5-4. VSV could not find the equalizer, however. Shane Hanna completed his hat trick before Sean Giles added an empty-netter to seal the final score.

Bozen denied tournament title in dramatic finish
HCB Südtirol Alperia narrowly missed out on the title at their home Südtirol Summer Classic by Sparkasse. The Foxes fell 2-1 to Red Bull München in the final despite producing a strong performance for long stretches of the game. Brad McClure opened the scoring in the 18th minute off a feed from Peter Schneider. Bozen generated numerous opportunities to double their lead, particularly during a dominant spell in the first half of the second period, but could not find a second goal. München increased the pressure in the third and Yasin Ehliz tied the game in the 55th minute. The decisive goal came with just 33 seconds remaining, when Markus Eisenschmid scored moments after a München power play had expired to secure the tournament title. Bozen had to settle for second place after a strong showing on home ice.

Ljubljana edge Landshut
Olimpija Ljubljana earned a 3-2 home win over EV Landshut. The German side opened the scoring in the first period before Ljubljana turned the game around with two goals in the middle frame. Landshut responded with the equalizer before the second intermission, but Olimpija had the final say in the third period. The game-winning goal secured another preseason victory for the Slovenian side.