Bernhard Starkbaum – © ©Leo Vymlatil
Linz. (PM Black Wings) The Steinbach Black Wings beat the spusu Vienna Capitals 5:2 in front of 3300 fans in the Linz AG Eisarena and score important points in the fight for the top 6.
Steinbach Black Wings Linz – spusu Vienna Capitals 5:2 (2:1, 1:0, 2:1)
1:0 Logan Roe (8th min), 2:0 Martin Schumnig (17th min), 3:1 Stefan Gaffal (37th min), 4:2 Michael Haga (51st min), 5:2 Jakob Mitsch ( 59 min / IT) or 2:1 Philipp Antal (17 min), 3:2 Chad Krys (46 min / PP1)
Coach Philipp Lukas called for all his energy for the classic against Vienna and shook up his attacking formations once. The people of Stahlstadt wanted to build on this momentum right from the start and came dangerously close for the first time in the second minute sausage Objective. Andreas Kristler put the right hash marks on Lebler, who narrowly missed the case with a huge blow to the wrist. It then took some time before both teams were able to close the neutral zone again and create chances. After a confrontation won by Graham Knott, Logan Roe took courage from the blue line and sent the spot into the net without warning, making it 1-0 for the men from Stahlstadt (8′).
It was a wake-up call for the game, which then accelerated the pace. After Haga failed from a good position to Starkbaum in the 11th minute, it was the Capitals who caused danger several times. A strong Rasmus Tirronen made two saves against Max Zimmer in the 14th minute and a minute later in the breakaway against Patrick Antal. Linz thanked his goalkeeper for supporting him with the next goal out of nowhere. After winning a target in the third up front, this time Martin Schumnig simply aimed from distance and defeated Starkbaum to score his first goal for the Steinbach Black Wings to make it 2-0. Linz was efficient, but had to admit defeat for the first time just 30 seconds later. Matt Bradley deflected a block shot in the center and reduced the score to 1:2 from the visitors’ point of view.
Increased gaffal with dream goal
The hosts had a slight advantage in the central section, where the game picked up speed with a first power play for Linz just before the break.
Almost continuously, the Stahlstadters established themselves in the third striker and besieged Starkbaum’s goal. After attempts by Haga, St-Amant and Lebler, it was Stefan Gaffal who had a huge chance to score the third goal. In the slot he held the shovel in a nice pass from Michael Haga, but lifted the deflection just over the bar. Unsuccessfully outnumbered, Rasmus Tirronen threatened again in the 33rd minute. After Rafael Rotter shot into the half from the turn, the Tall Austrians charged into the stab of Bradley and Zimmer and scraped the puck off the goal line. Two minutes later it was Rotter again, appearing all alone at the left post, but shooting wide of the far post. As in the first 20 minutes, it was up to the capital to take control of the match, but as before it was the people of Linz who struck. In the 36th minute, Stefan Gaffal had an energetic attack, overcame the opposition defense with a wonderful hook and lifted his backhand for 3:1 from a corner cross.
The Steel Citizens defend themselves against Vienna’s final offensive
The 3266 raucous fans were almost allowed to cheer again as the final section began. Outnumbered, Brian Lebler played at left field moments after the restart, while St-Amant missed on his next attempt from Starkbaum’s slot. It was also the Viennese goalkeeper who saved again in the 43rd minute against the rushing St-Amant. This negligence eventually had its revenge on the other side in another outnumbered match. 12 seconds before the end of the penalty against Brian Lebler, Chad Krys deflected a long shot to score again (46th minute. Linz AG Eisarena was full of tension, but he was released nine minutes before the end. Shwan St- Amant scored a beautiful cross from Michael Haga staged perfectly, who only had to push to the left post to make it 4:2.The final score of 5:2 perfect into the empty net.
The Steinbach Black Wings celebrate an important home win against Vienna and gain some breathing room in the tight fight for the top 6 before the difficult away weekend in South Tyrol.
