Steinbach Black Wings Linz moved into first place in the ICE Hockey League after a 6-0 road win over EC Red Bull Salzburg. The result marked Linz’s first time at the top of the standings since November 2023, according to the league report. Salzburg had no goals in the game.
Trenton Bliss opened the scoring shortly before the first intermission. Graham Knott then scored twice in the second period, with Oskar Maier adding another goal to give Linz a 4-0 lead. Jan Grüllenberger scored on his league debut in the third period, and Brady Shaw completed the scoring on the power play.
Elsewhere, Olimpija Ljubljana beat HCB Südtirol Alperia 5-4, handing Bolzano its first regulation-time defeat of the season and ending its spell at the top. Moser Medical Graz99ers came from behind to win 4-2 at EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV and enter the top six. Vienna Capitals won 3-2 at EC-KAC, while HC TIWAG Innsbruck beat HC Falkensteiner Pustertal 3-2 in overtime. FTC-Telekom defeated Pioneers Vorarlberg 4-3.