Before the ICE Hockey League kicks off on Friday (7:45 p.m., live ticker on ) with a guest appearance at HC Bozen Südtirol, Philipp Lukas, the coach of the Steinbach Black Wings, treated his players to a free weekend. It was well deserved, especially since the Linz team were able to impress for long stretches in the dress rehearsal against Slovakian champions HK Nitra. The 5:3 victory guarantees a good dose of self-confidence after the EHC had previously lost three matches in a row (0:5 in Regensburg, 0:3 and 3:7 against Ceske Budejovice).
Graham Knott in Torlaune
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Striker Graham Knott became the top scorer in the pre-season, scoring a total of five goals – three of them in the last test alone. “We all know how important ‘Knotti’ is for our team. This feeling of success is good for him, but also for the entire organization,” said Lukas, who had to replace not only the long-term injured Emilio Romig and Brodi Stuart, but also Stefan Gaffal (back problems) in Nitra. Henrik Neubauer therefore moved up to the number one attack (with captain Brian Lebler and Sean Collins).
Bolzano also seems to be ready for the start of the championship. The “Füchse”, who had defeated Innsbruck 10-0 on September 5th, won the so-called Alperia Cup 1-0 after extra time against Pustertal. The goal was scored by Daniel Mantenuto (61st).
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– What are the Steinbach Black Wings’ expectations for the upcoming ICE Hockey League season?
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Steinbach Black Wings Confident Ahead of ICE Hockey League Opener
The Steinbach Black Wings, led by coach Philipp Lukas, are feeling confident and refreshed as they prepare to face HC Bozen Südtirol in the opening match of the ICE Hockey League on Friday. After a grueling preseason, Lukas gave his players a well-deserved free weekend, following an impressive 5:3 victory over Slovakian champions HK Nitra in their final dress rehearsal.
Graham Knott Shines in Preseason
One player who has been instrumental in the Black Wings’ preseason success is striker Graham Knott, who topped the scoring charts with five goals, including three in the last test match alone. “We all know how important ‘Knotti’ is for our team,” Lukas praised. “This feeling of success is good for him, but also for the entire organization.” Knott’s form is a welcome boost for the Black Wings, who had previously lost three matches in a row.
Injuries and Lineup Changes
Despite the win, the Black Wings were not without their challenges. Long-term injuries to Emilio Romig and Brodi Stuart, as well as back problems for Stefan Gaffal, forced Lukas to make some lineup changes. Henrik Neubauer stepped up to the number one attack, alongside captain Brian Lebler and Sean Collins.
Bolzano Ready for Championship Start
Meanwhile, HC Bozen Südtirol, the Black Wings’ opponents on Friday, also appear to be ready for the start of the championship. The “Füchse” won the Alperia Cup 1-0 after extra time against Pustertal, with Daniel Mantenuto scoring the winning goal in the 61st minute. This followed an emphatic 10-0 victory over Innsbruck earlier in the month.
ICE Hockey League Preview
The ICE Hockey League is shaping up to be an exciting and competitive season, with several teams vying for the top spot. The Steinbach Black Wings, buoyed by their preseason form and the return of key players, will be looking to make a strong start against Bolzano. Fans can catch all the action live on Friday, with a 7:45 p.m. puck drop.
Keyword-rich meta description: “Get the latest news and updates on the Steinbach Black Wings as they prepare for the ICE Hockey League season opener against HC Bozen Südtirol. Read about their preseason form, injuries, and lineup changes, as well as their opponents’ chances.”
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Steinbach Black Wings Confident Ahead of ICE Hockey League Opener
Graham Knott Shines in Preseason
Injuries and Lineup Changes
Bolzano Ready for Championship Start
* ICE Hockey League Preview
– What are the Steinbach Black Wings’ expectations for the ICE Hockey League season opener against HC Bozen Südtirol?
Steinbach Black Wings Ready for ICE Hockey League Season Opener
The Steinbach Black Wings, led by coach Philipp Lukas, are gearing up for the start of the ICE Hockey League season this Friday against HC Bozen Südtirol. After a well-deserved free weekend, the team is feeling confident following their impressive 5:3 victory over Slovakian champions HK Nitra in their dress rehearsal.
Graham Knott Shines in Pre-Season
Striker Graham Knott has been on top form in the pre-season, scoring a total of five goals, including three in the last test against Nitra. Coach Lukas praised Knott’s performance, stating, “We all know how important ‘Knotti’ is for our team. This feeling of success is good for him, but also for the entire organization.” Knott’s form is a welcome boost for the Black Wings, who were without long-term injured players Emilio Romig and Brodi Stuart, as well as Stefan Gaffal, who was sidelined with back problems.
Black Wings’ Expectations for the Upcoming Season
Despite losing three games in a row prior to the win over Nitra, the Black Wings are feeling optimistic about their chances in the upcoming season. With Knott leading the charge, the team will be looking to build on their pre-season form and make a strong push for the top of the ICE Hockey League table.
HC Bozen Südtirol Ready for Championship Opener
Meanwhile, HC Bozen Südtirol, who will host the Black Wings on Friday, are also gearing up for the start of the championship. The “Füchse” won the Alperia Cup 1-0 in extra time against Pustertal, thanks to a goal from Daniel Mantenuto in the 61st minute. They had previously defeated Innsbruck 10-0 on September 5th, and will be looking to carry this form into the league opener.
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Key Takeaways
The Steinbach Black Wings are confident ahead of the ICE Hockey League season opener against HC Bozen Südtirol.
Graham Knott has been in top form in the pre-season, scoring five goals, including three in the last test against Nitra.
The Black Wings are looking to build on their pre-season form and make a strong push for the top of the ICE Hockey League table.
HC Bozen Südtirol won the Alperia Cup 1-0 in extra time against Pustertal, and are ready for the championship opener.
Get Ready for the ICE Hockey League Season Opener!
Don’t miss out on the excitement of the ICE Hockey League season opener this Friday. Follow all the action live on our website, and stay tuned for expert analysis and commentary throughout the season.