Black Wings Linz played host to the Straubing Tigers in a club friendly on 28th August 2026, and the visitors took control early, running out 5:2 winners. The scoreline told a simple story, though the game itself was never in doubt for long. By then, Linz had already conceded their first goal and were scrambling to find a rhythm they would not see again.
The visitors moved ahead on 12 minutes, a quick transition catching the home defence off guard. Linz pulled one back at 18, a power-play opportunity worked into a tight shot that beat the goalie at his near post. It was a moment of promise, but the home side would not sustain it.
Straubing doubled their advantage at 27 and three minutes later added a third, this time from a deflection that took the home keeper by surprise. Linz responded at 34, a second goal in quick succession that briefly suggested they might turn it around. The visitors, however, closed the game out at 41 and 47, ending any lingering hope of a comeback.
The result extends a run for Straubing that has not been particularly consistent. They lost 5:6 to Eisbären Berlin on 4th April, then took two points with a 2:1 win before losing again. Linz, meanwhile, have struggled this pre-season, dropping 1:4 to ERC Ingolstadt on 23rd August and 2:3 to Litvinov the day before. This was the third loss in their last five friendlies.
The final tally leaves the visitors with something to build on, while Linz face questions about their defensive structure. Five Goals against in a friendly is not catastrophic, but it is enough to suggest they need time to find their shape before the season starts.