Game report
The last game before the IIHF break started evenly. Both teams tested the opposing goalies early on, with the Juniors gradually picking up speed. The first power play brought the lead: Jesse Juhola scored from the high slot to make it 1-0 (4th minute). Salzburg kept up the pressure, combining confidently and forcing the visitors onto the defensive. In the 13th minute, Benedikt Krainer made it 2-0 after quick interplay between Maximilian Kirchebner and Paul Oberhauser. Gröden came into its own offensively towards the end of the period, but Luca Haitzmann made some confident saves.
Immediately after the restart, the South Tyroleans reduced the deficit to 2-1 (22nd minute) through Luke Moncada on the power play. The Red Bulls responded with increased tempo and clear chances on goal. After a prolonged period of pressure, top scorer Juhola made it 3-1 (28th minute) with a precise finish into the far corner, set up by Alexander Rebernig and Kirchebner. The game remained intense and physical. Three seconds after another Juniors power play expired, Salzburg scored again: Vadim Schreiner converted Adrian Gesson's pass to make it 4-1 (35th minute). Shortly before the end of the period, Simon Pitschieler scored for the visitors to make it 4-2 (40th minute).
In the final period, the Juniors controlled large parts of the attacking third, while Gröden defended compactly and waited for opportunities to relieve the pressure. Haitzmann thwarted a dangerous 3-on-1 situation for the visitors (43rd minute). Salzburg made the decisive move while shorthanded: Maxim Eliseev finished off a quick counterattack after a pass from Juhola to make it 5-2 (53rd). In the final phase, penalties on both sides characterized the game, but the Juniors remained structured, allowed little defensively, and confidently secured the home victory.
