Course of the game
Striker Niki Kraus made his comeback for the Red Bulls today after two and a half months out injured, who otherwise started with the same line-up as on Friday against the KAC, i.e. without ten regular players who were convalescing. The home side started with a lot of pressure and forced Salzburg goalie David Kickert to make his first strong saves right at the start. The Red Bulls then picked up the pace and scored twice. Tyler Lewington had plenty of time to score from the right face-off circle (7th). Three minutes later, the defender shot from the slot, Vienna goalkeeper Sebastian Wraneschitz had to let it rebound and Andrew Rowe was on hand to tap in the rebound (10th). In the final phase, Vienna came knocking at Salzburg's goal again. Leon Wallner poked dangerously in front of David Kickert (17') and Zane Franklin tried a rebound in the powerplay (18'). The Salzburg goalkeeper was the final stop in each case, holding on to the 2:0 lead after 20 minutes.
After the break, the Capitals made better use of their chances. Aljaž Predan shot at the goalie from the baseline and reduced the deficit to 1:2 (23'). Evan Jasper equalized from the slot in the power play (29). The Red Bulls went ahead again shortly afterwards, Lukas Schreier was on hand after a short break to make it 3:2 (30'). The Red Bulls then weakened themselves with several shorthanded games and were punished for it after David Kickert thwarted a great chance from Zane Franklin (35'). In the 39th minute, Evan Jasper struck for the second time in the powerplay to make it 3:3 at the break.
The final period was a back-and-forth affair. The Red Bulls came close to the next goal during a good power play (from 46 minutes), Sebastian Wraneschitz caught a good shot from Mario Huber. The game became more hectic, the duels even tougher. There were also more good shots on both sides, often without any attempt. The Caps hit the bar twice. But then Zane Franklin shot from the right at full stretch to give the Viennese the lead (57'). Philipp Krening had the potential equalizer in the powerplay right in front of goal (59), but then the home side put the lid on it with an empty-net goal and sealed the Red Bulls' 3:5 defeat in Vienna.