Saturday, 14. February 2026 |
Austrian AHL Championship Finals
The Juniors got off to a better start in front of 1,830 spectators, with Maxim Eliseev scoring the 1-0 goal just 22 seconds into the game. Paul Schuster increased the lead to 2-0 in the sixth minute, and the Red Bulls dominated the first period. In the second period, the Eisbären came out of the locker room much stronger and were now in control of the game. Kilian Rappold scored the first goal in the 30th minute, Christian Jennes tied the game on a power play in the 34th minute, and Kele Steffler gave the Eisbären the lead one minute before the end of the period. In the final period, the Juniors were unable to equalize again. In the last two minutes of the game, the young Salzburg team finally tried to play with a sixth man, but Christian Jennes scored into an empty net in the 60th minute to make it 2-4.
Next game
Alps Hockey League | Master Round
HC Asiago vs. Red Bull Hockey Juniors
Thu, 02/19/2026 | 8:00 p.m. | Asiago, Italy
Livestream
1/10
2/10
3/10
4/10
5/10
6/10
7/10
8/10
9/10
10/10
The best pictures of the final game
Game report
The Red Bull Hockey Juniors started the Austrian championship final with full pressure. Top scorer Maxim Eliseev scored the 1-0 in the first minute of the game after a pass from Luca Auer. Spurred on by the early goal, the Juniors continued to press the Eisbären goal. As time went on, however, the visitors also got into the game and tested Juniors goalkeeper Luca Haitzmann. The Red Bulls broke free from the pressure phase, Paul Oberhauser found Paul Schuster, who broke through in the sixth minute and netted to make it 2-0. The Juniors then increased the pressure on Zell am See goalkeeper Alexander Schmidt. Luca Auer narrowly missed in the 12th minute, and the Juniors sought the next goal from all angles. However, Zell am See remained dangerous with quick counterattacks and shots from distance. The Juniors had their first power play, but the Eisbären fought back with aggressive penalty killing. Back at full strength, Nikita Bloch narrowly missed in the 15th minute, and no further goals were scored for the time being. Another power play put the Eisbären under pressure again, but the shots were not dangerous enough.
The second period started evenly. Zell am See was now much more active, but the Juniors held their own. In the 22nd minute, Paul Oberhauser had a breakaway but was prevented from scoring at the last second. In the ensuing penalty shot, Zell am See goalie Schmidt won the duel and prevented a three-goal lead. The game became more physical and emotions ran high. The Red Bulls had further power play opportunities and shot from all angles, but the score remained 2-0. Further penalties on both sides interrupted the flow of the game, and at one point it was 4-on-4 in an intense match. Both teams continued to look for goals. In the 30th minute, Kilian Rappold converted Fredrik Widen's pass to make it 2-1. The Red Bulls reacted immediately with a period of pressure and tried to regain momentum. However, Zell am See remained dangerous and almost equalized in a 2-on-1 situation in the 32nd minute. Shortly afterwards, Luca Haitzmann was in serious danger and had to stretch enormously to make a save. A penalty against the Juniors gave the visitors a power play, which the Pinzgauers took advantage of: Christian Jennes deflected Sebastian Zauner's shot in the 34th minute to tie the game at 2-2. The Juniors then had to play shorthanded again, but survived unscathed. Zell am See was now dominating the game and putting the Red Bulls under increasing pressure. A penalty against the Juniors gave the visitors a man advantage, which the Pinzgau team took advantage of: Christian Jennes deflected Sebastian Zauner's shot in the 34th minute to tie the game at 2-2. The Juniors then had to play shorthanded again, but survived unscathed. Zell am See now dominated the game and put the Red Bulls under increasing pressure. In the 40th minute, Kele Steffler scored with a shot from the blue line into the top corner to make it 2-3.
The Red Bull Hockey Juniors started the final period with a strong offensive push, looking to quickly tie the game. Florian Lanzinger narrowly missed in the 44th minute, while Aljaz Predan had a shot on the other end. It was back and forth in the Eisarena Salzburg, with both teams fighting for every inch. Zell am See put the Juniors under pressure at times, but the Red Bulls held their ground and looked for quick counterattacks. The Juniors had another power play and fired shots at the Eisbären goal from all angles, but the puck refused to cross the goal line. The visitors were compact in defense and skillfully kept the Juniors at bay. In the final phase, the Red Bulls slowed down with a power play and then a double power play, but defended strongly. Adrian Gesson almost scored the shorthanded goal, but there were no further goals. With two minutes left in the game, the Juniors took a timeout and pulled their goalie for a sixth field player. In the 60th minute, Christian Jennes scored the empty net goal, sealing the Austrian championship for EK Die Zeller Eisbären.
Statement Adrian Gesson
Statement by Adrian Gesson
“We were clearly the better team in the first period, leading 2-0 and in complete control. Then we stopped playing and let Zell am See back into the game. I would like to thank all the fans who came and supported us. Not winning the title hurts.”
Austrian Championship Final
Red Bull Hockey Juniors – EK Die Zeller Eisbären 2-4 (2-0, 0-3, 0-1)
Goals
1:0 | 00:22 | Maxim Eliseev
2:0 | 05:55 | Paul Schuster
2:1 | 29:25 | Kilian Rappold
2:2 | 33:46 | Christian Jennes | PP
2:3 | 39:00 | Kele Steffler
2:4 | 59:08 | Christian Jennes | EN
Attendance: 1,830
Mit Video
First game of the Austrian championship ends in a draw// JUNIORS
Mit Video
Juniors vs. Zell am See in the Austrian AHL Championship Final// ALPS HOCKEY LEAGUE
Mit Video
Juniors keep their cool in the finish// JUNIORS