Home win! Black Wings battle past Salzburg

That was a true blockbuster clash in the win2day ICE Hockey League!

In the end, Black Wings Linz celebrated a 4-3 home victory over EC Red Bull Salzburg.

Linz took an early lead through Julian Pusnik, with Salzburg lending an unfortunate hand as Lukas Hörl knocked the puck across his own line (6th). However, a two-man disadvantage following a hit by Wimmer and a hooking penalty on St-Amant opened the door for Salzburg to equalize.

Wyatt Kalynuk struck on the 5-on-3 power play thanks to a screen by Hochkofler to swiftly level the score (8th/PP2). From there, the "Red Bulls" took control of the game and grabbed their first lead.

Michael Raffl capitalized on the next power play following a holding penalty against Tialler, putting Salzburg 2-1 ahead (25th/PP1). Linz, however, refused to be rattled.

Three goals in four minutes pave the way to victory

A quick-fire double suddenly turned the game back in Linz's favor. Luis Lindner first slipped the puck through the five-hole of RBS netminder Atte Tolvanen for 2-2 (29th), before Kyle Topping was left with room to shoot and fired the Black Wings back in front (31st).

Immediately after, the gloves came off in two full-blooded fights. Marlon Tschofen and Alexander Rebernig traded blows first, before Patrick Söllinger and Peter Hochkofler also got into it, bringing the arena to its feet.

Shortly after came another roar from the stands, this time celebrating Linz's fourth goal. Graham Knott picked out the top corner with a pinpoint shot to give the hosts a 4-2 lead heading into the break (32nd).

Salzburg did not surrender and pulled one back late in the third period through Mario Huber to make it 3-4 (57th), but there was not enough time left to force overtime.

Linz thus celebrate another victory in this marquee clash, while Salzburg suffer a blow in their current battle for a top-six spot.