Tuesday, 15. October 2024 |
Red Bulls lose 2-1 against Sparta PragueLucas Thaler: “Still did a good job against this top team”// CHLEC Red Bull Salzburg lost 2-1 at home to HC Sparta Prague in the Champions Hockey League. The Red Bulls had a tough time for long stretches against the compact Czechs, who climbed into the playoff ranks of the CHL with the win. At the moment, this means 6th place for the Red Bulls in the CHL standings after the regular season. The final ranking will only be determined tomorrow after the end of the last matchday. The first 16 teams are qualified for the playoffs. Salzburg had already reached the knockout round before today's game.
Next Home Game
20 October vs. EC-KAC
Trachten-Spieltag | Free Livestream | Tickets
Interviews Oliver David & Lucas Thaler
Match report
The Red Bulls dominated the first five minutes and made their first mark with several good passes into the slot. Then the Czechs came on the offensive and immediately put on a lot of pressure. Pavel Kausal scored after a 2 on 0 counter-attack to make it 1:0 for the visitors (8'), shortly afterwards Salzburg's goalie Atte Tolvanen defused Tomas Hyka, who was storming in alone (11'). After further chances for the visitors, the Red Bulls opened up the game again and were on an equal footing with the Czechs. However, they did not yet have any really compelling chances, Andrew Rowe's shot from an acute angle with a backhand while short-handed (16') was no problem for Sparta goalie Josef Korenar. After an intense first 20 minutes, the visitors took the 1:0 lead into the dressing room with a slight advantage in chances.
In the second period, the Red Bulls created opportunities on the power play after a good game with a short-handed penalty. Thomas Raffl directly in front of goal (23'), Benjamin Nissner on the rebound (24'). But then the visitors took advantage of a four-minute overtime spell and increased the lead to 2:0 after a deflected low shot by Miikka Salomäki next to the bar (27.). Salzburg then stepped up their forward play once again, but also struggled to find the net during another power play. The final phase of the second period was again dominated by the Czechs, Atte Tolvanen thwarted several really good opportunities for the visitors, who led 2:0 after 40 minutes.
The home side again established itself in the offensive zone at the start of the final period and held on to the disc for a long time. Only the final move towards the goal was rarely dangerous. The momentum then changed and the Czechs also spent a few minutes in front of Salzburg's goal and did not rest on their laurels. But Salzburg fought and became more and more dangerous in front of goal. During a strong powerplay (from the 54th), the only thing missing was luck of the draw or the good Czech goalie did a great job. However, he had to let Lucas Thaler's shot from full stretch pass (57'). Now the air was burning in front of the Czech goal once again, the Red Bulls sensed their chance to equalize. But Sparta Prague held on for the win with a compact defense and took three points from Salzburg.
Statement from Lucas Thaler
“We found it difficult to get going. We also struggled in the second period and took too many penalties. We kept at it, but only really got into our stride in the final period. Nevertheless, I think we did a good job against this top team. And now we're excited to see who our opponent in the round of 16 will be.”
Champions Hockey League
EC Red Bull Salzburg - HC Sparta Prague 1:2 (0:1, 0:1, 1:0)
Goals:
0:1 | 07:19 | Pavel Kousal
0:2 | 26:44 | Miikka Salomäki
1:2 | 56:27 | Lucas Thaler
Spectators: 2.180
Next Home Game
win2day ICE Hockey League | Regular Season
EC Red Bull Salzburg – EC-KAC
20.10.2024 | Eisarena Salzburg, 4.30 p.m.
Trachten-Spieltag | Gratis Livestream | Tickets
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