Game report
The clash in Cortina began at high speed. Both teams were looking for the first goal early on and the Red Bulls tested the opposing goalkeeper Hayden Hawkey several times. Nevertheless, it took until the 8th minute of the game before Leon Kolarik converted a rebound from Paul Lemke to give the Juniors a 1:0 lead. Cortina responded immediately: In the 9th minute, Giacomo Lacedelli equalized to make it 1:1. The home side now became much more active, but thanks to strong defensive work and goalkeeper Valentin Ankirchner, no further goals were scored in the opening period.
At the start of the second period, neither team was able to assert itself decisively. However, an overtime situation brought fresh impetus to the Italians' play. Despite committed short-handed play by Salzburg, Cortina took advantage of another powerplay opportunity in the 34th minute when Filippo Pompanin scored to make it 2:1. Although the Red Bulls tried to respond immediately, they were unable to find a gap in the Italian defense.
The Juniors started the final period with an advantage, but failed to capitalize on it. It was not until the 45th minute that Maximilian Wurzer equalized to make it 2:2 after an assist from Paul Lemke. But the joy was short-lived: A few seconds later, Salzburg had to play shorthanded, which Mikael Saha promptly exploited to make it 3:2 for Cortina (46'). With this momentum, the Italians increased the pressure and Riccardo Lacedelli made it 4:2 in the 48th minute. Despite a late offensive including a sixth outfield player, the Red Bulls were unable to score another goal.