Game Summary
The opening phase belonged to the Red Bulls, who immediately set a high tempo and were difficult to get out of the offensive zone. Ljubljana's goalie, Lukas Horak, was unfazed. The visitors first threatened on a power play, but failed to capitalize. However, just afterward, Blaz Gregorc fired a shot from a sharp angle to give the visitors the lead (10th minute). Salzburg continued to control the game, with Benjamin Nissner unlucky to hit the post during a scrum in front of the net (11th minute). The Slovenians then increased the pressure, splitting the play between the two teams. The game became increasingly emotional. Salzburg's first good power play didn't result in an equalizer, but their scoring chances improved. Ljubljana's goalie was caught out on several occasions but managed to keep his net clean. Summary of the first 20 minutes: the Red Bulls are dominating the game, but the visitors lead 1-0.
The first chances of the second period came from Lucas Thaler and Brandon Coe, both scoring from mid-range on the power play (23rd minute). The Red Bulls maintained control and even had a shorthanded opportunity with Florian Baltram scoring a one-timer from the slot (28th minute). Wave after wave of attacks crashed against the visitors' net, but a stick or an opposing foot always intervened. The same pattern emerged on the next power play; Ljubljana's defense was impenetrable. At one point, the puck slid along the goal line behind the goalie but didn't go in. Salzburg's goalie, David Kickert, made all the necessary saves, and so the relentlessly pressured home team trailed 0-1 after 40 minutes.
The pattern continued into the final period. Salzburg attacked, while Ljubljana – with the lead – defended. The Red Bulls rotated their players and got the puck on the net, but clear scoring chances were few and far between. During the Slovenians' next power play, David Kickert was suddenly called upon again, making several crucial saves. Then came Thomas Raffl's surge, who kept his composure on a 2-on-1 counterattack and finally forced the equalizer while shorthanded (51st minute). However, the Slovenians regained the lead on a counterattack, with Zach Boychuk scoring from full speed into the top corner (54th minute). And that proved insurmountable, even though the Red Bulls tried everything with six skaters in the final minutes. The Red Bulls ultimately lost 1-2 to Ljubljana in a close game, but with a bit more luck in front of goal, they deserved a better result.
