Red Bulls celebrate a 6-point weekend at the start of the CHL
Sunday, 31. August 2025 |
Red Bulls celebrate a 6-point weekend at the start of the CHLSalzburg also defeated Bremerhaven 3-2// CHL Regular SeasonEC Red Bull Salzburg narrowly defeated the Pinguins Bremerhaven 3-2 in their Champions Hockey League home game, securing three points in their second home game in the premier league.
In front of another strong crowd at the Salzburg Ice Arena, both teams fought a tough battle, with the Red Bulls' early 2-0 lead being equalized by the visitors after 40 minutes. Lucas Thaler scored the winning goal on the power play in the final period, but the Red Bulls had to defend it fiercely until the very end. Salzburg's other goals were scored by Luca Auer and Benjamin Nissner.
Highlights Red Bulls vs. Pinguins Bremerhaven
Game recap
Less than three minutes had been played when Luca Auer irresistibly fired into the top left corner on a 2-on-1 counterattack, giving the Red Bulls an early lead. Just two and a half minutes later, Bremerhaven goalie Kristers Gudlevskis was forced to reach behind him again. Peter Schneider found Benjamin Nissner with a dream cross pass, and he slotted home a one-timer to put the Red Bulls 2-0 up (6th minute). Bremerhaven wasn't idle, however, and kept the game moving fast. Salzburg goalkeeper David Kickert had to be particularly wary of the visitors' short passing game and their unpredictable long-range shots. Michael Raffl later had a great chance from close range (18th minute), but missed. After a fast-paced first period, the Red Bulls, the more efficient team, took a 2-0 lead into the locker room.
The second period continued to be up and down. There was a lot of fighting for the puck, but initially few good shots on goal. That changed during the visitors' dangerous power play (from the 28th minute onward), in which David Kickert held his own, including making a spectacular save to snatch a puck that was thought to be safely in the net. But suddenly, the tide turned. In the 35th minute, David Kickert brought down an opposing striker far in front of the net while trying to stop his solo run. Žiga Jeglič converted the penalty (35th minute), and just two minutes later, Jan Urbas equalized with a hidden shot on the power play (37th minute). The score was tied at 2-2 after 40 minutes at the second intermission.
The final period was a do-or-die affair. Michael Raffl had a good opportunity from the left on a 3-on-2 (45th minute). Then the home team pressed on goal on their first power play, and Lucas Thaler found a gap from mid-range (49th minute). Bremerhaven followed on, increasing their shooting frequency. In the next shorthanded game, Travis St. Denis was awarded a penalty after a solo run, but hit the post (53rd minute). In the heated final phase, the Red Bulls first caused chaos and created chances in front of the visitors' goal, then the Germans finally pressed for almost two minutes on the power play with six skaters. Salzburg's defense, featuring a strong goalkeeper in David Kickert, didn't let anything through, and the Red Bulls ultimately celebrated a hard-earned 3-2 victory against Bremerhaven.
Statements Manny Viveiros & Luca Auer
Statement from Luca Auer
"This was a great start for us in the CHL. We've played well defensively in the last two games. We can build on that. Today against Bremerhaven was a tough battle; we didn't give each other an inch. We just need to work on our second period in general, even though it was better today than on Friday against Tychy."
Champions Hockey League EC Red Bull Salzburg – Pinguins Bremerhaven 3:2 (2:0, 0:2, 1:0)
Goals: 1:0 | 2:50 | Luca Auer 2:0 | 5:37 | Benjamin Nissner 2:1 | 34:23 | Žiga Jeglič | PS 2:2 | 36:15 | Jan Urbas | PP 3:2 | 48:52 | Lucas Thaler | PP
Attendance: 2,483
CHL | Regular Season der Red Bulls
Fr, 29.08.25 | Red Bull Salzburg – GKS Tychy 3:1 (1:0, 0:1, 2:0) So, 31.08.25 | Red Bull Salzburg – Pinguins Bremerhaven 3:2 (2:0, 0:2, 1:0) Do, 04.09.25 | Ilves Tampere – Red Bull Salzburg | 5.30 p.m.* Sa, 06.09.25 | KalPa Kuopio – Red Bull Salzburg | 4 p.m.* Mi, 08.10.25 | Odense Bulldogs – Red Bull Salzburg | 7 p.m. Mi, 15.10.25 | Red Bull Salzburg – Eisbären Berlin | 8.20 p.m.
* Beginnzeiten in CEST
Next home game of the Red Bulls
On 14 September vs. EC-KAC Eisarena Salzburg | 5.30 p.m.
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