Friday, 29. August 2025 |
Strong CHL start for the Red Bulls with last-minute victorySalzburg wins 3-1 against Tychy// CHL Regular SeasonEC Red Bull Salzburg won its Champions Hockey League home game against GKS Tychy 3-1, securing three points right at the start of the top flight. In their clash with the Polish champions, the Red Bulls had to settle for a draw in the second period after a strong first period against an increasingly dominant Polish side. Salzburg dominated again in the final period and were rewarded with two late goals from Thomas Raffl, securing their first victory in the CHL.
Highlights Red Bulls vs. GKS Tychy
Match report
It took just 20 seconds for Salzburg's top line to strike. The puck came to Benjamin Nissner via Peter Schneider and Thomas Raffl, and he scored from a sharp angle (1st minute). The Poles' first good chance came from Filip Komorski, who had a dangerous shot from a similarly good position (4th minute). The Red Bulls continued to dominate the game, with a hammer shot from Lucas Thaler going straight to Polish goalkeeper Tomas Fucik (8th minute). A power play gave the visitors some breathing space and allowed them to go on the offensive, but the Red Bulls defended consistently and remained one step quicker for the most part. In the final minute, Salzburg came close to scoring a second goal on the power play with two dangerous rebounds, but after 20 minutes, the home side remained deservedly ahead 1-0.
The visitors played better in the second period. The game went back and forth, but the Red Bulls were still more aggressive and dangerous on the next power play (from the 8th minute), with several chances only being thwarted by the strong Polish goalkeeper. Then the visitors struck. On the power play, Joona Monto scored from a sharp angle into the half-open goal to tie the game (32nd minute). That left the game wide open. The pace was really high, with chances at both ends. In a strong final phase, Salzburg goalkeeper Atte Tolvanen was fully alert, reacting strongly to a 2-on-1 counterattack (19th minute), among other things. 1-1 after 40 minutes.
The Red Bulls started the final period with a real fireworks display. In the first four minutes, the puck only left the offensive zone due to illegal long shots by the Poles, with Lucas Thaler hitting the post (45th minute). The visitors also held their own twice while shorthanded with several good one-timers from close range by Salzburg. The Red Bulls pressed on tirelessly, shot after shot going at the Polish goal, while the visitors gained some breathing space with occasional counterattacks. But it was only in the final minute that the captain redeemed his team, finding the gap from mid-range after a determined effort. Shortly afterwards, he added another goal into the empty net to seal a 3-1 victory for the Red Bulls. And that was more than deserved after the final period.
Statement Manny Viveiros & Thomas Raffl
Statement by Thomas Raffl
“It was the tough game we expected. We were ready and took an early lead. But then you could see how compact the Poles were defensively, and for long stretches it was an evenly matched game. But with the constant pressure we applied at the end, it was only a matter of time before the goal came.”
Champions Hockey League
EC Red Bull Salzburg – GKS Tychy 3:1 (1:0, 0:1, 2:0)
Goals:
1:0 | 00:20 | Benjamin Nissner
1:1 | 31:07 | Joona Monto | PP
2:1 | 59:28 | Thomas Raffl
3:1 | 59:51 | Thomas Raffl | EN
Attendance: 2,394
CHL | Red Bulls' regular season
Fri, 08/29/25 | Red Bull Salzburg – GKS Tychy 3:1 (1:0, 0:1, 2:0)
Sun, 08/31/25 | Red Bull Salzburg – Pinguins Bremerhaven | 5:30 p.m.
Thu, 09/04/25 | Ilves Tampere – Red Bull Salzburg | 5:30 p.m.*
Sat, 09/06/25 | KalPa Kuopio – Red Bull Salzburg | 4:00 p.m.*
Wed, 10/08/25 | Odense Bulldogs – Red Bull Salzburg | 7:00 p.m.
Wed, 10/15/25 | Red Bull Salzburg – Eisbären Berlin | 8:20 p.m.
* Start times in CEST
Mit Video
Red Bulls kick off CHL home season against Polish champions// CHL REGULAR SEASON
Mit Galerie
First opponent in the CHL: Polish champions GKS Tychy// CHL
Mit Galerie
Pinguins Bremerhaven with respectable success in the CHL// CHL