Background
It was an intense and physical match that the Red Bulls displayed yesterday against the Cologne Sharks at the Salzburg Ice Arena. With an incredible atmosphere in their nearly sold-out home arena, Salzburg largely stifled the DEL regular season champions in their 2-5 defeat, but lacked the clinical finishing touch to turn the game around.
The upcoming second home game against Bílí Tygři Liberec will be no easier. Like the Red Bulls, the Czechs also qualified for the CHL as third-place finishers in last year's domestic regular season (Tipsport Extraliga) and are eager to make a strong showing on Europe's biggest ice hockey stage after a six-year absence.
Similar Game Stories
Liberec suffered a 3-6 defeat in Tampere yesterday, but only became clearly outmatched towards the end. Just like the Red Bulls against Cologne, the young Czechs, whose roster included seven players selected in this year's CHL Import Draft (the Canadian Hockey League's entry draft), were hot on the heels of the Finns for much of the game and even managed to close the gap to 2-3 in the 42nd minute. Only then did the experienced Finns pull away and secure a decisive home victory.
In the second game of the CHL regular season, Salzburg and Liberec will face off as two evenly matched teams. The Red Bulls aim to capitalize on their home-ice advantage this time, especially since the Czechs have had a long day of travel.
Personnel situation
In addition to Florian Baltram and Fabian Baumann, who were already sidelined yesterday due to injury, Wyatt Kalynuk will also be unavailable. The Canadian defenseman suffered an upper-body injury in yesterday's game and will be out indefinitely.
Statement by Luca Auer
"We've analyzed the details from yesterday's game against Cologne that were lacking and are feeling positive about the game against Liberec. We expect tough, fast-paced hockey, as is typical of the Czechs. But we're well-prepared and determined to get our first win."
Champions Hockey League
EC Red Bull Salzburg – Bílí Tygři Liberec
Sat, 05/09/2026 | Eisarena Salzburg, 7:15 PM
Sporteurope.tv 
