Round 15 preview: Petrík's first night in purple, Dragons visit a wounded Linz
Six games on Friday night, the last weekend before the international break. The Royals host Salzburg with a new centre in the building, Klagenfurt's winning streak goes to Linz, and the Knights get another shot at a first regulation win.
The schedule gives the league one more Friday-Sunday double before the national-team break on November 6–8, and it starts with a full slate of six games tonight.
Royals Vienna – Salzburg Ice Barons (19:00, Donau Arena)
All eyes on the home bench: will Matej Petrík play hours after his transfer from Linz was announced? Head coach Markus Reitbauer wants to decide after warm-up. Either way, it is Salzburg who have a score to settle: the only meeting so far ended 3-0 for the Royals at Baron Halle on September 20, with Philipp Binder stopping all 30 shots. Armin Steiner starts in goal again, with Philipp Binder (lower-body injury) still not cleared. Salzburg bring the league's best power play (29.2 percent) and two straight losses beyond regulation, one in overtime and one in a shootout. Game page: Royals – Ice Barons (Oct 30 19:00).
Linz Steel Wolves – Klagenfurt Dragons (19:00, Stahlhalle Linz)
The hardest possible assignment for a team that lost its top scorer this morning. The Dragons have won six in a row, score more than anyone (57 goals) and took the first meeting 4-3 in Klagenfurt. Linz counter with two straight wins and Matic Ažman, who has a .907 save percentage and a shutout against Wiener Neustadt last Friday.
Dornbirn Lynx – Villach Ravens (18:30, Rheintal Arena)
Second against fifth, and the two best comeback stories of the autumn. Martin Eklund has allowed 1.29 goals per game for Dornbirn; Dornbirn won the first meeting 4-1 in Villach on September 20. Side note: Moritz Rohrer, on loan from Villach to Dornbirn since October 2, faces his parent club for the first time.
Innsbruck Peaks – St. Pölten Lions (18:30, Nordkette Arena)
The league's top scorer Christoph Wimmer (27 points) against the second-best power play in the league (25.9 percent) and an Innsbruck roster missing three regulars. The Lions have won five of their last ten.
Bregenz Mariners – Graz Thunder (18:30, Bodensee Arena)
Graz arrive from their 1-0 overtime win over the Royals in the Classic; Bregenz have lost four in a row and have scored only 27 goals all season.
Wiener Neustadt Knights – Steyr Hammers (18:30, Theresien Arena)
The Knights are still looking for a first regulation win after 14 games. Steyr, eighth and on the playoff line, have the league's second-weakest power play (13.3 percent), which gives the Knights' 78.9 percent penalty kill a fighting chance.
Sunday: the reunion
Round 16 on Sunday brings the game the whole league circled this morning: Royals Vienna host Linz Steel Wolves at 17:00. The Royals won the first meeting 2-1 in Linz on September 25.
