Fifth season

Play-off dinosaur aims for next chapter in the record book

(Bild: Kronen Zeitung)

Eisbullen start today, Sunday, at home (17.30) against Linz in the quarter-finals and the title hat-trick. Salzburg has won all three play-off series against the Black Wings so far.

A massive 237 games make the Eisbullen the play-off dinosaurs in the ice hockey league. Salzburg was only rebuffed in the inaugural season '04/05, and this year entered the fifth season for the 19th time in a row. This is the best current streak, as the Vienna Capitals have been eliminated.

And the Bulls are already aiming for the next chapter in the league's record book: The defending champions want to be the first team to achieve the title hat-trick.

(Bild: Krone Kreativ, Tröster)

On the way there, all attention will first be focused on the quarter-final hurdle Linz. "The lads make the music when the series starts," says Oliver David, who is tackling a play-off for the first time as head coach at professional level. "I'm happy, excited and grateful."

Captain Thomas Raffl is already entering his 13th play-offs in an Eisbullen uniform and describes what his team can expect: "Linz is a very dangerous and structured team, it will definitely be a very big task for us."

Which is underlined by their record so far this season. In the four meetings, the game went into extra time three times and was decided twice by the penalty shoot-out. Salzburg won three times and now have 8:4 points. "For me, the pick is no surprise, Salzburg is a great challenge for us. It will be a tough task - but any task is doable," explained Linz coach Philipp Lukas.

As a player, the noble Black Wing also experienced the three previous play-off series against Salzburg - all of which he lost - at first hand. The Bulls won the 2014 semi-final 3:0 and the 2018 semi-final 4:2. The 2010 final series was very special, however, as they came back from 2-0 down to win 4-2. Doug Lynch shot the Pagé crew to the title with an overtime 4:3 in Linz.

ICEHL, quarterfinals: 1st game: Today: Red Bull Salzburg - Linz (live Puls 24), KAC - Pioneers Vorarlberg, Fehervar - Pustertal (all 17.30), Bolzano - Villach (18). - Further dates: March 4/5, 7/8 and 9.