Release from 18.02.2026

Wins for Linz and Ljubljana

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The win2day ICE Hockey League has entered the final stage of the regular season, with 31 games scheduled over 12 days. The final stretch opened with victories for the Steinbach Black Wings Linz and Olimpija Ljubljana. While the Slovenians prevailed in a high-scoring affair against the Vienna Capitals (7–5), the Upper Austrians battled their way to a 2–0 win over the Pioneers Vorarlberg.

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Black Wings secure shutout victory

The Steinbach Black Wings Linz returned from the break with a 2–0 shutout win. However, the road victory at Pioneers Vorarlberg had to be earned the hard way.

Linz controlled large parts of the opening frame but were unable to beat the strong David Madlener in the first 20 minutes. The second period was again dominated by goaltending and defensive play. It was not until the final minute of the middle frame that the deadlock was broken: Christoph Tialler beat Madlener to record his second goal of the season. The Pioneers pushed to respond in the third period but could not solve Rasmus Tirronen. Graham Knott sealed the result with just under two minutes remaining to make it 2–0.

With this victory, the Steinbach Black Wings Linz took another big step toward securing a Pre-Playoffs spot. With four games remaining in the regular season, their lead over 11th-placed FTC-Telekom now stands at eight points.

Ljubljana climbs to fourth place

Olimpija Ljubljana fended off two comeback attempts by the Vienna Capitals in their first home game after a long break and ultimately secured a 7–5 victory.

The hosts from Slovenia got off to a strong start, striking twice within the first six minutes to take a 2–0 lead. In the 13th minute, Jan Drozg scored his first of the night to make it 3–0. The middle period continued in similar fashion, as Drozg and Alex Petan extended the lead to 5–0 by the 26th minute. The visitors from Vienna responded, however, cutting the deficit to 5–3 before the second intermission.

Early in the final frame, the Green Dragons struck again: Nicolai Meyer made it 6–3 before Jan Drozg completed his hat trick. The Capitals refused to go away and battled back to within 7–5, but time ultimately ran out.

With the win, Ljubljana moved up to fourth place, while the Vienna Capitals missed their first opportunity to clinch a Pre-Playoffs berth. The Viennese side will have another chance to secure a Top-10 finish on Friday.

win2day ICE Hockey League
Wed, 18.02.2026

Olimpija Ljubljana – Vienna Capitals 7–5 (3–0, 2–3, 2–2)
Referees: FICHTNER, STERNAT, Bedynek, Mantovani
Goals OLL: Gregorc B. (4:47), Simsic N. (5:53), Drozg J. (12:23), Drozg J. (24:28), Petan A. (25:27), Meyer N. (41:05), Drozg J. (41:37)
Goals VIC: Antonitsch S. (28:21), Gregoire J. (33:20), Hults M. (35:58), Hults M. (47:36), Koschek F. (53:57)

Pioneers Vorarlberg – Steinbach Black Wings Linz 0–2 (0–0, 0–1, 0–1)
Referees: NIKOLIC K., SCHAUER, Fleischmann, Strimitzer
Goals BWL: Tialler C. (39:20), Knott G. (58:04)

Foto ©Dorner_pioneers.hockey