Salzburg Overcomes Linz‘s Comeback Attempt for 5-2 Victory
Power Ranking: There is a change in leadership!
EC Red Bull Salzburg secured a decisive 5-2 home victory against Black Wings Linz on matchday 24, ending a formidable eight-game winning streak for the Linz side. The defeat marked the first time since the 11th round that Linz, nicknamed the Stahlstadters, left the ice without a point — a frustrating 0-3 loss against Asiago in the previous round being their last setback.
Early in the game, Salzburg, known as the Eisbullen, exerted noticeably more offensive pressure, peppering the Linz net with striking opportunities.
Despite this early challenge, the Black Wings countered with impressive resilience, generating a number of scoring chances of their own.
However, the Eisbullen drew first blood. Schreier capitalized on a prime scoring opportunity, widening the gap just shy of the 13th minute.
Undeterred, the Linzers continued to play with conviction, evenly matching Salzburg’s intensity. A forceful attack, powered by superior numbers, culminated in Lebler cleverly finding the back of the net in the 24th minute, securing a well-deserved equalizer on a power play.
But Salzburg’s response was swift and powerful. Huber broke free, taking advantage of a breakaway just four minutes later to restore the home side’s lead.
Salzburg’s offensive blitz intensified in the following period. Thaler expertly leveraged a power play opportunity in the 31st minute, propelling the home team to a 3-1 advantage.
Undeterred, Lebler countered once again, completing a double-pack just a minute later — also on a power play — injecting renewed energy into the Black Wings’ effort.
But despite their valiant fight, the Linzers couldn’t contain the surging Eisbullen in the final period.
Kosmachuk (49th) and Raffl (51st) effectively sealed the win for Salzburg, showcasing the powerful offense that propelled the Eisbullen to victory.
This crucial victory cemented Salzburg’s place in third position on the table with 42 points, overtaking both Black Wings Linz with 40 points and the Graz99ers, who have amassed 41 points.
Importantly, despite playing two games fewer, Graz and Linz continue to challenge Salzburg for a high position in the standings.
What do you think of this article?
What are the future prospects for Black Wings Linz following their first loss after an eight-game winning streak?
## Salzburg’s Victory Ends Linz’s Winning Streak
**Interviewer:** Welcome back to the show. With us today is [Guest name], a sports analyst who followed the exciting match between EC Red Bull Salzburg and Black Wings Linz. [Guest name], can you tell us about this crucial matchup?
**Guest:** Absolutely. This was a big game for both teams. Linz was riding an impressive eight-game winning streak, and Salzburg needed to secure a win to solidify their position in the league standings.
**Interviewer:** And Salzburg certainly rose to the challenge!
**Guest:** They did. Right from the start, Salzburg demonstrated their offensive strength, putting immense pressure on the Linz net. They really controlled the pace of the game early on.
**Interviewer:** But Linz didn’t go down without a fight, I hear?
**Guest:** You’re right. Even though Salzburg dominated initially, Linz managed to mount a comeback attempt. However, Salzburg ultimately prevailed with a decisive 5-2 victory.
**Interviewer:** This victory puts a halt to Linz’s impressive run. What are your thoughts on the impact of this loss on the Black Wings going forward?
**Guest:** It was certainly a setback for Linz, ending their winning streak. It’ll be interesting to see how they bounce back from this defeat. But they are a strong team and I wouldn’t count them out just yet.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, [Guest name]. It sounds like we have a really exciting race unfolding in the league this season.
