The starting position
Even though the Red Bulls lost their last CHL game against Sparta Prague 2:1 two days ago, it was a strong performance by the Austrian champions against the Czech top team. The mood in the team is good, especially as the knockout round continues on European ice in November, and that should give the Salzburgers extra motivation to put in another strong performance tomorrow in Asiago.
The Red Bulls go into the encounter with the penultimate team in the ICE table as favorites, but don't be blinded by the mere ranking and the fact that the South Tyroleans have only won one of their seven games so far - 8:2 in Bolzano (!). Several close results, such as the 1:2 against Ljubljana or 1:2 against the Vienna Capitals, show that the gap is only minimal. And the Red Bulls also had their work cut out for them in their first home game of the basic round against Asiago, winning 4:3.
Strong goalkeepers
The duel between Asiago and Salzburg is also a comparison of two top goalkeepers. The Italians rely on 29-year-old North American Evan Cowley, who has played 5 out of 7 games and has the fifth-best save percentage in the league at 93.5%. Salzburg's goalie Atte Tolvanen holds the league lead with 94.4% after 4 games.
This is also reflected in the goal difference. Asiago have only conceded three goals more than Salzburg, but have scored significantly fewer. Asiago: 18:25 | Salzburg 31:22