Match recap
It was almost the usual start in Asiago. The home side got going straight away and had opportunities early on. Just as the Red Bulls (without the convalescent Florian Baltram and Mario Huber, who stayed at home while expecting a child) were gathering themselves, Asiago struck. Carter Turnbull netted on the rebound to give the home side an early lead. Salzburg then got into their stride and also created opportunities. Lucas Thaler and Peter Hochkofler from the face-off circle, Ali Wukovits after a combination or Thomas Raffl on the rebound from a tight angle. There were still no compelling moments and the Red Bulls were lucky that Asiago's second goal - goalkeeper David Kickert had saved other dangerous shots - was disallowed for offside. After an evenly balanced third period in which not everything was on show, Salzburg were 1:0 behind.
In the second period, the Italians quickly found a gap in the defense and Jason Fram scored from the slot into the corner of the net (22'). Four minutes later, David Kickert defused a top chance from Tanner Kaspick, who fought his way through to the front of the net. The Red Bulls then really pressed during the first powerplay (from 27th), but goalkeeper Evan Cowley saved the good one-timers from Andrew Rowe and Troy Bourke from close range with his catching hand. However, the Red Bulls' chances became better and more numerous, and by halfway through the game Asiago was forced to defend for the most part. However, Nicholas Saracino then increased the home side's lead to 3:0 (34') by winning a disk at his own blue line and then scoring a solo goal.
Salzburg continued to press, but again it was the Italians who took their chance early, Matteo Gennaro scoring from half-distance (43'). It was desperate now. Whatever the Red Bulls did - including a minute of 5:3 superiority (from 45) - Asiago always had the answer in defense. Niki Kraus shot freely from the slot (47'), only to be stopped by Evan Cowley. The Red Bulls kept up the pace, but also ran into the Italians' quick counter-attacks, who remained highly dangerous and promptly netted a fifth time in the 56th minute with Luke Moncada's rebound goal. Lucas Thaler finally scored the consolation goal, converting the rebound from the boards (58'). But that was as good as it got and the Red Bulls were clearly beaten 1:5 in Asiago.