After the loss in Salzburg

Conclusion of the Black Wings season: “The right direction!”

The fans cheered on the Cracks despite the end of the season(Bild: Scharinger Daniel)

At 9.40 pm on Monday evening, the Black Wings' ice hockey season was over. After the 1:5 in the fifth quarter-final in Salzburg and the 1:4 in the series against the double champions, club boss Peter Nader draws a positive balance. Planning for next season has already begun.  

"We want to see the Linzers, we want to see the Linzers..." Even though they lost quarterfinal 5 in Salzburg 1:5 and the series 1:4, the fans celebrated the Black Wings one last time this season. Proud that they had shown a "heart of steel" and left everything on the ice. But also disappointed that the fans were the only component in which they were superior.

• 7:19 goals was the score for the physically stronger and cleverer Bulls.

• 91:48 penalty minutes for the undisciplined EHC.

• 3:7 in power play goals. "The fact that Linz was the only team we hadn't conceded a short-handed goal against up to that point was one reason why we picked them," said coach David.
• Goalie Tirronen's save percentage was only 86.2%! Tolvanen? 94 %!

• Efficiency in finishing? 6.4% to 12.5%!

Conclusion: "You have to take your hat off to Salzburg, they were the better team," said forward Romig. "They showed us how to win in the play-offs, blocked shots and put in a great effort. We were there at times, but they have a winning mentality that we don't yet have. It's a huge learning process for us," said Philipp Lukas.

Philipp Lukas had a chat with Salzburg's David after the loss(Bild: Oliver Gaisbauer)

Improvement in the basic round
In his second season as coach, finishing 5th in the basic round (in 2023 it was 7th) and thus achieving the goal of direct play-off qualification was an improvement. Nevertheless, it was a pity that they missed out on 4th place by one point - because that would have spared Salzburg as an opponent in the quarter-finals. However, Salzburg showed just how far away from the top they still are. "You have to remember that we started last a few years ago. Nobody would have expected us to turn it around in such a short space of time. We have managed the turnaround with honest work. We're heading in the right direction," says club boss Peter Nader proudly.

The Black Wings (l. Gaffal) lost the series against Salzburg 1:4(Bild: GEPA pictures/ Christian Moser)

Average attendance 3700
With 3700, they topped the calculated 3000 spectator average. How are they doing financially? "Good now! The old liabilities will be gone this year, sponsors are asking and we can slightly increase the budget for the squad." St-Amant, Kragl, Tirronen, MacKenzie, Feldner, Bretschneider remain permanent, probably also Lebler, Roe, Höneckl. Collins rather not. "Some key positions are open," says Lukas, who is in talks. Before the closing ceremony with fans on Friday (18, VIP-Klub), striker Nico Feldner says: "We have a great heart in the team, we've given everything. The fans want everything from us and we want everything from them, this is a great team. We can already look forward to next season!"