Game Summary
Right from the start, the atmosphere on the ice was electric. Both teams came out firing, and Salzburg's goalie, Atte Tolvanen, was kept busy early on. After a few minutes, the game settled down a bit, but the pace remained relentlessly high. KAC had slightly more of the possession, although clear scoring chances were scarce on both sides due to the tight defensive formations. The Red Bulls were twice penalized, but defended very effectively. The teams went into the locker rooms scoreless after 20 minutes, but even so, it was a highly exciting hockey game.
The second period saw a flurry of goals – six in total. KAC took the lead. Raphael Herburger pushed the puck past Atte Tolvanen at the post (24th minute), and shortly afterward, Simeon Schwinger capitalized on a rebound off the boards while shorthanded (26th minute). Mario Huber narrowed the gap for Salzburg, beating Klagenfurt's goalie Florian Vorauer in front of the net (30th minute) and recording his 300th career point across all clubs. Mathias From then scored on the power play with a long-range shot that went through a crowd of players (34th minute), and almost the same situation, with a shot that left the goalie blind, led to Lucas Thaler scoring again to bring Salzburg within one (36th minute). Brandon Coe was then perfectly positioned to rebound a shot by Michael Raffl and tie the game at 3-3 at the intermission.
After an early Salzburg power play, Klagenfurt's Mathias From had the first clear scoring chance of the third period on a breakaway (44th minute). The game remained close, with both teams creating good offensive opportunities in the intense back-and-forth. Salzburg's Nash Nienhuis skated the puck right in front of the KAC net (53rd minute). Atte Tolvanen then thwarted Simeon Schwinger's excellent scoring chance from close range while the Red Bulls were shorthanded (56th minute). Mario Huber had another good opportunity from the face-off circle (59th minute) before the game went into overtime. In overtime, Michael Raffl and Simeon Schwinger both had chances alone in front of the net, but it was Brandon Coe who secured the Red Bulls' second point after a short solo effort (64th minute), scoring his first two goals in the ICE Hockey League, having already scored his first goal for the Red Bulls in the CHL earlier that season.
