Saturday, 06. September 2025 | EC Red Bull Salzburg: CHL - Kuopio
Red Bulls unable to take any points from FinlandSalzburg lost 2-3 to KalPa// CHL Regular SeasonEC Red Bull Salzburg suffered a 2-3 defeat in their Champions Hockey League away game against KalPa Kuopio, leaving them without any points after two games in Finland. After Lucas Thaler scored the early goal, the Finns stepped up their game and turned the match in their favor in the first period. In the end, the Red Bulls managed to score a consolation goal with six field players through Dennis Robertson, but it wasn't enough to equalize against the strong Finns. The Red Bulls now have two wins and two losses after four CHL games. The last two games of the regular season – away against the Odense Bulldogs and at home against the Eisbären Berlin – will be played in October.
Dennis Robertson scores late consolation goal
Game report
With a solo run while shorthanded, but still under pressure from a defender, Devante Stephens had the Red Bulls' first chance in the second minute (again with defender Maximilian Kirchebner and young Finnish forward Maxim Eliseev in the lineup). Benjamin Nissner then skated through the entire Finnish defense, but was denied by goalie Patrik Kerkola (5th minute). The Red Bulls took the lead with their third chance, Lucas Thaler shooting from mid-range after a quick attack (7th minute). But the many shorthanded situations took their toll. Within less than two minutes, KalPa turned the game around with two power play goals. Juuso Ketola hammered the puck into the top corner from distance (14th minute), with David Kickert in the Salzburg goal unable to see it. Shortly afterwards, Teemu Hartikainen added another with a one-timer (15th minute). With both teams at full strength, however, Salzburg were on equal terms, with Michael Raffl having a great chance alone in front of goal (18th minute). After a turbulent first period, the home side led 2-1.
In the second period, David Kickert came under fire early on. First while shorthanded, then during strong KalPa play in 5-on-5 situations. Even during a power play (starting at 28:00), the Finns had the better (counterattack) chances, only stopped by Salzburg's goalie. After that, Salzburg kept the game open at times, with Peter Schneider having a chance from close range (35th minute). But KalPa increased the pressure again and, nine seconds before the second intermission, Aleksi Klemetti scored the third goal after a short solo run (40th minute), after David Kickert had previously thwarted numerous chances. After the second defense-dominated period, the Red Bulls were trailing 1-3.
The final period was more open again. Michael Raffl had the chance to score the second goal after a short solo run (45th minute). The Red Bulls pushed forward and created further good chances. However, they had to work hard for them, as KalPa was also well positioned defensively. Salzburg pressed until the end, and Dennis Robertson actually managed to score the tying goal from a distance with six field players, making it 2-3 (59th minute). However, the Red Bulls were unable to equalize and lost 2-3 to the Finnish champions.
Statements: Travis St. Denis & Manny Viveiros after the game against Kuopio
Statement Manny Viveiros
“We played well and had our chances. I'm really happy with the boys' performance against this strong team. The only thing is that we shouldn't have taken a few silly penalties, which always get punished against a team like KalPa.”
Champions Hockey League
KalPa Kuopio – EC Red Bull Salzburg 3:2 (2:1, 1:0, 0:1)
Goals:
0:1 | 06:44 | Lucas Thaler
1:1 | 13:03 | Juuso Ketola | PP
2:1 | 14:39 | Teemu Hartikainen | PP
3:1 | 39:51 | Aleksi Klemetti
3:2 | 58:43 | Dennis Robertson
Zuschauer: 2.985
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