Bulls pick Linzer

Salzburg picked the Black Wings! d

This ice hockey pick makes the hearts of Black Wings fans beat faster! After the KAC had chosen Vorarlberg and Fehervar Pustertal as their quarter-final opponents, Salzburg opted for the "derby" against Linz. They had previously announced the contract extension with the coaching team.

It will be a mass migration of Black Wings fans to Salzburg! Because when the ice hockey champions had the choice between Linz and VSV on Thursday evening, they surprisingly opted for the "derby" against the Upper Austrians! "It won't be easy against Linz, it's very difficult to play there with their fans. But we're well prepared," explained Bulls coach Oliver David, whose club made the decision with the involvement of the staff and captains. That left only VSV as an opponent for Bolzano - instead of the rematch of last year's semi-final against Linz, who had previously announced a decision on their future.

Coaches stay until 2027
"Long-term contract for coach" and "Coaching team stays" were the headlines in the Krone on 15 January. It has now been official since Thursday: Philipp Lukas, who took over the Black Wings in 2022, is extending his contract as sporting director and head coach, and his assistant coaches Mark Szücs and Jürgen Penker will also stay until 2027!

Nasheim about to sign
Peter Nader, who had casual inquiries from other ICE Hockey League teams about Lukas, praises him: "He's a top professional and also a great person, in terms of team leadership and character. It was clear early on that he would stay - that would have been the case even if we had missed the play-offs," says Nader. Scout Rick Nasheim will also be extending his contract with him soon and he is now looking forward to the best-of-7 quarter-final series against the Bulls. 

The series kicks off in Salzburg on Sunday, with Linz at home on Tuesday. They return to the city of Mozart on Thursday, with Game 4 in Linz on Saturday. Further dates if necessary: March 11 (a), March 13 (h), March 15 (a).