Record Champion KAC Sinks in Linz

In the 8th round of the win2day ICE Hockey League, Black Wings Linz decisively defeated record champion KAC 6-1.

In what started as a fiercely contested game, the Linz hosts got the better start. Henrik Neubauer intercepted a pass just meters in front of his own goal and immediately launched a quick counter-attack, sending Emilio Romig alone against KAC goalie Vorauer. The Black Wings forward slid the puck through the netminder's five-hole to make it 1-0 in the fourth minute of play.

Klagenfurt was given a chance to equalize due to a penalty against Marlon Tschofen. On the power play, Jan Drozg got a shot away from the left side, but Linz netminder Dylan Wells' view was obstructed, and he couldn't prevent the 1-1 goal (8th minute). This would remain Klagenfurt's last significant play of the game.

KAC Crushed in the Middle Period

The goal-scoring spree began right at the start of the middle period. Luca Erne finished off Linz's quick counter-attack after an ideal pass from Graham Knott, scoring to make it 2-1 (21st minute). Shortly after, Oskar Maier tucked in the rebound from a shot by Luis Lindner to extend the lead to 3-1 (22nd minute).

Klagenfurt subsequently took too many penalties. Thimo Nickl and Thomas Hundertpfund were both in the penalty box when Niklas Würschl capitalized on a double power play to make it 4-1 (30th minute/5-on-3 PP). The Black Wings also exploited the subsequent power play against four Carinthians, as Romig bagged his brace with the 5-1 goal (31st minute/PP).

By this point, the game was decided, and Henrik Neubauer's late goal for 6-1 (47th minute) was merely the final flourish on an impressive home victory for the Black Wings.

The Black Wings Linz draw level with KAC in the standings, both teams now on 15 points. However, due to a worse goal difference, the Black Wings must settle for third place behind the "Red Jackets."