Red Bulls lose CHL opener at home against Cologne

Thursday, 03. September 2026 |

CHL Regular Season | Kölner Haie

Red Bulls lose CHL opener at home against CologneThe visitors were more efficient in front of goal// CHLThe Red Bulls lost their first CHL regular season game of the new season against the Cologne Sharks 2-5. The visitors proved to be the more efficient team, while the Red Bulls squandered too many opportunities in what was a largely evenly matched game.

In the nearly sold-out Salzburg Ice Arena, the visitors took a 2-0 lead with two quick goals in the first period. Salzburg fought back and created numerous scoring opportunities, especially in the second period, but Cologne always had an answer in what was a rather physical game and ultimately pulled away to a 5-2 victory in the final period.

Goals of the Red Bulls vs. Kölner Haie

Game Summary

The first competitive game of the new season started at a high tempo. After a brief feeling-out period, the play became significantly more physical and focused more on the goal. Cologne's Maximilian Kammerer got the puck right in front of Salzburg's goalie Atte Tolvanen (6th minute), and shortly afterward, Thomas Raffl tested the visiting goalie Janne Juvonen from close range (8th minute). During the first power play, Michael Raffl narrowly missed the net with a one-timer from close range (13th minute). Shortly after, Mathias Böhm had a chance from the slot while skating at full speed (14th minute). The Red Bulls had the better scoring chances at that point, but it was the visitors who scored on their first power play. Patrick Russell deflected the puck past the goalie right in front of the net (17th minute). And they followed up with clinical precision, with Marcel Noebels scoring a one-timer from the slot during the same power play to give Salzburg a 2-0 lead (17th minute). The Red Bulls were dangerous in front of the net again after that, but went into the locker room trailing 0-2.

After a strong start from Cologne, the Red Bulls turned up the heat. Peter Schneider converted Thomas Raffl's pass into the half-high slot with a powerful shot to make it 1-2 (24th minute). Salzburg continued to press and unleashed a barrage of shots in front of the Cologne net. The visitors' defense wobbled but managed to stop all the shots. Cologne then scored again on a counterattack, with Gregor MacLeod scoring from full speed to restore the two-goal lead (30th minute). The Red Bulls then dominated the offensive zone for several minutes on the power play, but couldn't put the puck in the net. It took another power play, and this time Salzburg wasted no time. Mario Huber, after a pass from Michael Raffl, scored from a sharp angle under the crossbar to make it 2-3 (38th minute). But Cologne had the answer again. After a shorthanded counterattack, Louis-Marc Aubry fired the puck low into the net (40th minute). 4-2 for the visitors after 40 minutes that became quite rough.

The third period continued in an emotional vein. The Red Bulls fought to get back into the game, while Cologne remained active. After a 2-on-0 counterattack, the visitors extended their lead to 5-2 early in the period thanks to a goal by Marcel Noebels (44th minute). Salzburg had further opportunities, but the Germans maintained the pressure and made it difficult for the Red Bulls to create dangerous scoring chances, even on the power play. The Red Bulls tried everything, but ultimately had to concede defeat to last season's DEL regular season champions, losing 2-5.

Statement by Alan Letang

"It was a bit frustrating. We clearly had the momentum in the second period, but Cologne did a very good job and capitalized on their chances. We had worked our way back well, but then Cologne scored the next goal, which set us back a bit. But we've already shown that we're a dangerous team."

Champions Hockey League EC Red Bull Salzburg – Cologne Sharks 2:5 (0:2, 2:2, 0:1)

Goals: 0:1 | 16:03 | Patrick Russell | PP 0:2 | 16:32 | Marcel Noebels | PP 1:2 | 23:49 | Peter Schneider 1:3 | 29:05 | Gregor MacLeod 2:3 | 37:30 | Mario Huber | PP 2:4 | 39:18 | Louis-Marc Aubry | SH 2:5 | 43:27 | Marcel Noebels

Attendance: 3,353

Statements Ali Wukovits

CHL | Red Bulls Regular Season

Next home game of the Red Bulls

Champions Hockey League On 5 September vs. Bílí Tygři Liberec Eisarena Salzburg | 7.15 p.m. Sporteurope.tv

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