The Black Wings Linz took a significant step toward securing a Pre-Playoff spot in the ICE Hockey League with a 2-0 road victory over the Pioneers Vorarlberg on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The win gives Linz an eight-point cushion over Ferencvaros Budapest, currently tenth in the standings, with four games still remaining.
Meanwhile, the Vienna Capitals saw their slim chances of a Top Six finish and automatic quarterfinal berth evaporate in a 7-5 loss to Olimpija Ljubljana. The Pustertal Wölfe have clinched their place in the quarterfinal round.
Drozg Nets Hat Trick for Olimpija
Jan Drozg led the charge for Olimpija Ljubljana after a two-and-a-half-week pause in the Slovenian ICE Hockey League schedule, scoring three goals and adding an assist as his team dominated the Vienna Capitals. Olimpija built a commanding 5-0 lead within the first 26 minutes of the game. Despite a late rally that saw the Capitals close the gap to 5-3, they ultimately couldn’t overcome the early deficit. Mitch Hults scored twice for Vienna, but it wasn’t enough.
In Feldkirch, Christoph Tialler broke the deadlock for the Black Wings in the 40th minute and Graham Knott sealed the victory with a late goal in the 59th minute. The Black Wings, now eighth in the league standings, are poised to join the Capitals in the Pre-Playoff round. This loss effectively ends any playoff hopes for the Pioneers Vorarlberg.
Win2day ICE Hockey League
Wednesday:
Ljubljana – Vienna Capitals 7:5
(3:0 2:3 2:2)
3,200;
Tore: Gregorc (5.), Simsic (6.), Drozg (13., 25., 42.), Petan (26.), Meyer (42.) bzw. Antonitsch (29.), Gregoire (34.), Hults (36., 48.), Koschek (54.)
Strafminuten: 4 bzw. 6
Vorarlberg – Linz 0:2
(0:0 0:1 0:1)
1,500;
Tore: Tialler (40.), Knott (59.)
Strafminuten: 2 bzw. 6
More information on the ICE Hockey League is available.
