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ice Hockey
Like the “Boxing Day” games in English football, the ice hockey games on December 26 have a tradition in Austria. After a three-day Christmas break, the ICE Hockey League begins with a full program on Saturday.
Linz’s Black Wings arrive with a new coach at the Vienna Capitals, who are fighting for the end of the negative series after four losses to the last group. Dan Ceman is in the Linzers gang for the first time, which parted ways with head coach Pierre Beaulieu two days before Christmas.
The 47-year-old Canadian, who was fired by league rivals VSV earlier in the month, was awarded a contract for the current season and the next one at the bottom of the table. After just five successes in 23 matches, Ceman should get the Austrian Highs ready for the qualifying round that starts in early February.
The penultimate VSV visits Graz
Similar to Black Wings is the situation with the penultimate VSV, who hired Rob Daum as Ceman’s successor two weeks ago and most recently defeated championship leaders Bolzano. The Villachers are visiting the Graz99ers, who after just an eleven-game win have moved from the top of the table to eighth in a month. In the West Derby between host Dornbirn Bulldogs and Innsbrucker Haien, he’s about fifth place.
Bozen and Fehervar fight for the top
The long-distance duel for first place increases in Italy and Hungary. In Bolzano, the first season duel between the South Tyrolese and Red Bull Salzburg, which recently suffered two defeats at Fehervar, is being played. The Hungarians go against the Bratislava Capitals for an eighth victory in a row and with a loss of points from Bolzano to lead the championship.
In this millennium, with the exception of 2009, the league has always played on Boxing Day. These games are usually blockbusters, but this year fans are falling for the live experience due to the coronavirus pandemic.
