The initial situation
It continues seamlessly. Friday in Asiago, yesterday at home against the KAC and tomorrow the next game awaits in Innsbruck. After the last two defeats against Asiago and Klagenfurt, the Red Bulls want to get back on the winning track and make better use of their chances. Especially yesterday in the home game against Klagenfurt - the Red Bulls lost 2:3 after overtime - they could have scored much more in terms of chances. With 34 goals scored, Salzburg are still the second-best team in offense (after Pustertal with 37 goals) and want to revive this strength in Innsbruck.
But caution is advised. The Innsbrucker Haie have often been an unpleasant opponent in recent years and especially difficult to break down at home. Last season, the Red Bulls recorded just one win and three defeats in their duel with the Tyroleans.
Difficult new start
This year, under new Head Coach Jordan Smotherman and a half-replaced team, the Sharks have yet to really get going and are in 10th place in the table after ten rounds with 4 wins and 6 defeats. The two newcomers Mark Rassell (CAN) and Patrick Grasso (USA) are responsible for half of all goals - 11 out of 21. The remaining goals were scored by 6 other players.
Innsbruck can continue to rely on goalie Evan Buitenhuis (31, CAN), who has played in all 10 games in his second season in Innsbruck and has a strong save percentage of 93.6% with only 26 goals against. The Red Bulls have conceded 30 goals so far.