Release from 10.08.2023

Salzburg and Linz open the preseason

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EC Red Bull Salzburg and Steinbach Black Wings Linz will be the first teams to play preseason games in the win2day ICE Hockey League on Friday. While the reigning champions play a test match in Zell am See against EV Zug, the Upper Austrians take on HC Slovan Bratislava in Slovakia.

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It's been 111 days since EC Red Bull Salzburg lifted the Karl Newded Trophy and, together with HCB Südtirol Alperia, were the last teams to leave the ice. Now it is also the reigning champions who are the first team in the win2day ICE Hockey League to play a game again. After almost a week of team training, the Bulls will face EV Zug in their first preseason game in Zell am See. Neo-head coach Oliver David already had all players except Lucas Thaler on the ice and thus gets a first location determination on Friday. With the EV Zug, a Swiss first division team comes to Zell am See, which is currently one of the top 4 in the Swiss NL.

For the Steinbach Black Wings Linz, the last game was already 142 days ago. Back then, the Upper Austrians were defeated in a thrilling Game 7 in the quarterfinals by the subsequent vice-champion HCB Südtirol Alperia. However, the defeat has long since been put behind them and the focus is now on the coming season: Nine days after the start of team training and preparation for the 2023/24 season in the win2day ICE Hockey League, the Upper Austrians head to Slovakia on Friday. At Slovan Bratislava, the traditional club from the capital, the team of Head Coach Philipp Lukas returns. With Bratislava, the nine-time Slovakian champions await Brian Lebler and Co. There will be a reunion with old companions Matt Murphy and Jared Coreau. Matt MacKenzie has changed sides as well - from Bratislava to Linz - but is not yet fit for action.

Also Asiago and Pustertal play their first preparation games this weekend
This weekend, Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey and HC Pustertal will start their preparation program. While Asiago will play the traditional "Game of Life" against the Asiago Old Bears on Saturday, the Wolves will go into a first test of strength against the Iserlohn Roosters on Sunday.

>> Click here for the complete preseason schedule.