Bulls in the play-offs

“We have to play even better in Linz”

Already four goals, one assist against Linz: captain Raffl (left).(Bild: Tröster Andreas)

After the demonstration of power, Bulls have match pucks away in Linz. Captain Tom Raffl moved into the 100 club. Powerplay needs more movement.

With the 5:1 home win, the Ice Bulls not only went ahead again in the Ice Hockey League quarter-finals (2:1), but also gave Linz a severe lesson. When coach Philipp Lukas was asked whether there was anything positive to take away for Saturday's game, the answer was a clear and frustrated "no".

It was a completely different story for the champions, who went on to win 3:1 and dominated the visitors in the final third. Because the tempo was kept constantly high, goalie Tolvanen was a back-up and they managed to stay out of the cooler better than their opponents as the game progressed. Bulls coach Oliver David singled out Robertson. "He got a fist in the face twice, but stood over it both times."

Clearly ahead in the goalie duel with Linz' Tirronen: Bulls goalie Tolvanen (right).(Bild: Tröster Andreas)

In the absence of the injured Schneider, Tom Raffl ("All the players made the right decisions") once again showed how valuable the captain is for Salzburg and how he can always step up in the play-offs. This time, the 37-year-old first took the penalty and then scored the important goals three and five. With these goals, the veteran took his tally to 100 play-off points for the Eisbullen (51 goals, 49 assists). Hats off to him!

To survive, we have to play even better in Linz

Mario Huber

However, the output in the power play was not as desired: the score was still zero after eight attempts. "We have to move the puck and our bodies more," David and Co. tried to intervene during the game. For Mario Huber, one thing was clear ahead of game four today, at the end of which three match pucks await if they win: "To survive, we have to play even better in Linz."

Graz is different: The new management of the league's bottom team has already announced the signing of Haudum (and Roy from Innsbruck), who still plays with the KAC.