Olimpija’s point for the start of the new season

The people of Ljubljana started their third season in the strongest regional competition. After a successful first season, when they made it to the quarterfinals, they missed the playoffs in the previous season. The desire this season is to be among the top eight teams again. The Dragons earned their first point of the season with a fighting performance, they had a chance for at least one more. They showed a much better game in the second half of the match, after losing too many one-on-one duels in the opening half-hour, the referee’s throws, which were normally awarded to the guests, were also a big problem.

In the first period in front of a little over a thousand spectators in the Tivoli Hall, there were no goals, the ratio of shots was a trifle on the side of Olimpia (11:10), which did not take advantage of the player’s advantage between the 15th and 17th minutes, but there were good shots prepared by Marcel Mahkovec and Žiga Pance. Stefan Gaffal hit the crossbar for Linz.

Knott took the lead for LinzAn even more interesting second period was announced in the 23rd minute, when Linz captain Brian Lebler launched a counterattack after a mistake by the Ljubljana defense, and goalkeeper Lukaš Horak intervened well. But what when he escaped in the next akiya Graham Knott and checkmate Horak, who touched the puck, but it bounced into the net.

Čepon equalized with a precise shot under the crossbarOlimpija patiently waited for the opportunity and equalized in the 35th minute. Kristjan Čepon after the pass, some space opened up from behind the goal, he fired and with a precise shot into the upper right corner, he checked Rasmus Tirronen.

In the 43rd minute, Žiga Pance had a good chance after an independent breakthrough and a precise pass from Žiga Pavlin, but he did not finish the action well.

Mehle secured the pointIn the 47th minute, the visitors took the lead again, playing with one more player (Aljaž Predan was penalized) was successful Nico Feldner, and Olimpija again had an answer ready. In the 51st minute, Jaka Šturm went on the attack and outplayed quite a few Linz hockey players, then put the puck away Mehlet stampswho measured accurately.

Lebler decided in overtimeIn overtime, the dragons immediately had a great chance, but Linz defended themselves and after the next action, thanks to the masterpiece of captain Lebler, they looked forward to two points.

In the second round, Olimpija will visit Vienna on Sunday.

This season, 13 clubs, again according to the four-round systemIn the 2023/24 season, 13 clubs will compete in the expanded Austrian championship. Most are from Austria (Vorarlberg, Innsbruck, Graz, Linz, Vienna Capitals from Vienna, VSV from Belarus, Salzburg and KAC from Cologne), three from Italy or South Tyrol (Bolzano, Pustertal, Asiago), and one each from Slovenia (SŽ Olimpija) and Hungary ( Fehervar).

The competition will take place according to the four-round system, each team will play each other twice at home and away. After these 48 rounds of the regular season, the second season will begin. The first six teams will have already secured the playoffs. In the intermediate part, the teams in places 7, 8, 9 and 10 will compete for the last two tickets.

1st round:SŽ OLYMPIA – LINZ * 2:3 (0:0, 1:1, 1:1) 1030; Čepon 35th, Mehle 51st; Knott 24th, Feldner 47th, Lebler 61st * – in overtime

GRADE – VIENNA 2:3

INNSBRUCK – BOLZANO 5:1

SALZBURG – KAC ČELOVEC 4:1

PUSTERTAL – VORARLBERG 3:1

ASIAGO – FEHERVAR 0:3