Monday, 16. March 2026 |
HC Falkensteiner Pustertal vs. Red Bulls
Another loss – Pustertal currently holds a 3-0 series lead – would end the season for the Red Bulls. Nevertheless, there is confidence in the Salzburg team that they can finally secure their first victory in their fourth attempt. Everything is focused on this one game to make the impossible possible.
Statement Benjamin Nissner
Background
The Red Bulls face their toughest challenge in a long time. After four successful championships, each ending with a Salzburg title, the Red Bulls are now fighting to avoid early elimination in the playoff quarterfinals. Salzburg has lost all three games against Pustertal by a single goal and is currently down 0-3 in the best-of-seven series. A win is now absolutely essential if the Red Bulls want to extend the series and keep their hopes of advancing alive.
It's by no means impossible, even though the task seems enormous. In each of these three games, the Red Bulls took the lead early on, breaking down Pustertal's strong defense. The mistakes only crept in afterward and were then ruthlessly exploited by the strong and experienced team from Bruneck. So, once again, it's crucial to capitalize on opportunities and play a complete game for the full 60 minutes. Then Pustertal can be beaten, even in their home arena.
Extensive Playoff Experience
What can help the Red Bulls mentally is their immense playoff experience. They have only been eliminated in the quarterfinals once in club history. That was in the 2011/12 season against KAC. Since then, Salzburg has reached the semifinals every single time – 12 times (with the exception of the 2020 playoffs, which were cut short due to COVID-19); this is also the longest semifinal run by any team in league history.
Three times in the past, the Red Bulls have also managed to turn around series in their favor after trailing 0-2. They were down 0-3 once; in the 2021 semifinal against KAC, they narrowed the gap to 1-3, but then lost the series 1-4.
Highlights HC Falkensteiner Pustertal vs. Red Bulls | 12.3.26
Statement by Benjamin Nissner
“We’re not giving up. It may be 3-0 for Pustertal, but that’s out of our minds right now, and we’re focusing on getting back to our game. We can’t be too offensive and need to concentrate even more on our defense. The team is hungry, everyone can give a little bit more, and that just motivates us even more.”
win2day ICE Hockey League | Playoff Quarterfinals | Game 4
HC Falkensteiner Pustertal – EC Red Bull Salzburg
Tue, March 17, 2026 | Bruneck, 7:45 PM
Sporteurope.tv | Fanfahrt
Playoff–Quarterfinals | Red Bulls vs. HC Falkensteiner Pustertal | 0:3
1 | Tue, March 10, 2026 | EC Red Bull Salzburg – HC Falkensteiner Pustertal 2:3 (1:0, 1:2, 0:0) OT
2 | Thu, March 12, 2026 | HC Falkensteiner Pustertal – EC Red Bull Salzburg 2:1 (1:1, 1:0, 0:0)
3 | Sat, March 14, 2026 | EC Red Bull Salzburg – HC Falkensteiner Pustertal 3:4 (1:1, 2:3, 0:0)
4 | Tue, March 17, 2026 | HC Falkensteiner Pustertal – EC Red Bull Salzburg | 7:45 PM
5* | Thu, March 19, 2026 | EC Red Bull Salzburg – HC Falkensteiner Pustertal | 7:15 PM
6* | Sat, March 21, 2026 | HC Falkensteiner Pustertal – EC Red Bull Salzburg | 7:45 PM
7* | Wed, March 25, 2026 | EC Red Bull Salzburg – HC Falkensteiner Pustertal | 7:15 PM
* If necessary | Start times may change
Mit Video
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Red Bulls suffer defeat in Bruneck// WIN2DAY ICE HOCKEY LEAGUE | PLAYOFFS
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Red Bulls lose playoff opener against Pustertal in overtime// WIN2DAY ICE HOCKEY LEAGUE | PLAYOFFS