Thursday, 30. October 2025 |
Red Bulls vs. Olimpija Ljubljana
The Red Bulls lost the first encounter in Ljubljana and now want revenge in their first home game against the second-placed team, where Salzburg's former associate coach Ben Cooper has been at the helm since this season.
Interview Benjamin Nissner
Background
The defending champions are still searching for consistency and have had to compensate for several injury-related absences for weeks now (Ali Wukovits, Peter Hochkofler, Philipp Wimmer, Devante Stephens, and Lukas Schreier are still sidelined). After some ups and downs, the Red Bulls seemed to have found some breathing room with their 7-2 home win against Budapest a week ago, but then suffered a narrow defeat against league leaders Pustertal, losing in the final stages of what was at least a close match.
In yesterday's loss to bottom-of-the-table Feldkirch (2-3 OT), there was definitely more potential, even though the Vorarlberg team gradually found their footing after falling behind 0-2 and ultimately outplayed the Red Bulls. Salzburg thus remains in fifth place, but has already played one or two more games than their immediate neighbors who are level on points.
After yesterday's setback in Vorarlberg, the Red Bulls are looking to quickly consolidate their position and take on Olimpija Ljubljana. The two teams are now familiar with each other after their first encounter, in which the Red Bulls suffered a 3-4 overtime defeat in Ljubljana almost two weeks ago. Since then, the Slovenian team, currently second in the standings, has won all three of their remaining games, underlining their offensive prowess with a 7-4 away victory in Budapest yesterday.
League's Strongest Offense
With 73 goals scored so far, Ljubljana is by far the league's most potent offensive force. The Red Bulls (6th) have scored 46 goals. Unsurprisingly, the Slovenians boast three players among the league's top six scorers: Nicolai Meyer (1st), T.J. Brennan (3rd), and Zach Boychuk (6th). Salzburg's top scorer, Michael Raffl (who will be back tomorrow), is currently ranked eleventh in the league.
Reunion with old friends
For three players and coaches from Ljubljana, the game in Salzburg will be an emotional homecoming. Ben Cooper celebrated four championships with the Red Bulls as part of the coaching staff and, after his move this summer as the Slovenian team's new head coach, is now coming to Salzburg for the first time. The 32-year-old Danish forward, Nicolai Meyer, the team's current top scorer with eleven goals, won the championship with the Red Bulls in 2023 and 2024. The championship season with the now 36-year-old American T.J. Brennan is a bit further in the past; in 2021/22, the defenseman, as one of the league's top scorers at the time, played a major role in Salzburg's first championship title after five years without a cup.
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Pictures from Ljubljana | 17.10.25
Statement by Benjamin Nissner
"Yesterday, we strayed from our system at times and were all over the place in the defensive zone. That definitely has to change. It starts with the attitude; everyone has to be ready to play. We need to attack together again! The mentality has to be that we take a hard look at ourselves and get back to playing our game."
Red Bulls vs. Olimpija Ljubljana All-Time Record
Since 2021: 17 games | 12 wins RBS | 5 wins OLL
Last ten games: W W W W W L W W W L
Last eight home games: L L W W W W W W
win2day ICE Hockey League
EC Red Bull Salzburg – Olimpija Ljubljana
Fri, Oct 31, 2025 | Eisarena Salzburg, 7:15 PM
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