Game Summary
The Red Bulls applied a lot of pressure at the start, initially dominating the offensive zone. However, the first big chance fell to Graz's Lukas Haudum (6th minute), who got the puck right in front of Salzburg's net after a collision with Atte Tolvanen, but the puck was cleared off the line. Graz then opened up their play and created some good chances on the power play (starting in the 10th minute). In the intense 5-on-5 play, both teams worked hard on the attack, but there weren't many clear scoring opportunities. Travis St. Denis had a chance in the half-high slot (15th minute), and shortly afterward, Graz's Paul Huber had a solo effort, during which he was pressured (16th minute). Thomas Raffl tested Graz's goalie Maxim Lagacé with a slapshot from mid-range (18th minute). In the final stages, the home team created havoc in front of the Salzburg net, but Atte Tolvanen kept his composure. The first period, which was fairly even in terms of chances, ended scoreless.
The game became more intense in the second period. Florian Baltram had the first clear scoring chance after a 2-on-1 power play (25th minute), and almost immediately, Tim Harnisch broke away on a breakaway to score against Salzburg (25th minute), followed by several rebounds. Good scoring chances alternated between the two teams, but then Graz took control of the game within six minutes. In the 31st minute, Josh Currie surprised everyone with a backhand shot from a sharp angle on the power play. The Red Bulls struggled to establish their own rhythm and were caught on a counterattack, which Josh Currie again converted (36th minute). Just a minute later, Paul Huber also found the back of the net (37th minute), giving Graz a 3-0 lead after 40 minutes, as Lucas Thaler was stopped after a shorthanded solo effort (40th minute).
The home team remained the more dangerous side after the intermission. Michael Schiechl had a clear shot on goal (42nd minute), and Salzburg continued to struggle to get out of their defensive zone. A power play (46th minute) sparked a glimmer of hope, but a Red Bulls goal was disallowed after video review. Despite the increasingly emotional game, the Red Bulls had taken control of the offense and were searching for a scoring opportunity. Seven minutes before the end of the power play, Tolvanen pulled the puck for an extra attacker, and Michael Raffl deflected a Peter Schneider shot into the net with the teams back at even strength (55th minute). The game continued without a goalie, and the Red Bulls attempted the impossible. But while shorthanded, the puck slipped through the empty Salzburg net, and Manuel Ganahl sealed the Red Bulls' 4-1 defeat in Graz.
