Game Summary
Both teams started off at a fast pace in what was already their second matchup of the season and looked to score early. Fabian Baumann tried his luck from distance (11th minute), while at the other end, Mika Haim was on hand to stop the South Tyroleans’ shots. As the period progressed, the Juniors increasingly took the initiative and put Ritten under pressure, but the visitors defended compactly and looked to capitalize on quick transitions. No goals were scored in the first period.
The Red Bulls came out strong in the second period and had several scoring chances, but Gianluca Vallini kept a clean sheet. Ritten capitalized on its opportunity at the other end, with Miro Markkula scoring off a pass from Angelo Miceli to make it 0–1 (22nd minute). After the Juniors were penalized, the visitors increased the pressure, and Mika Haim kept the Salzburg team in the game with several saves. Manuel Öhler scored off an assist from former Juniors defenseman Josef Prast to make it 0–2 (31st minute), before the Red Bulls earned their first power play in the closing minutes but were unable to capitalize on it.
In the final period, the Juniors went on the offensive once again, but Ritten struck again: Miro Markkula scored off assists from Angelo Miceli and Manuel Öhler to make it 0–3 (46th minute). The Red Bulls continued to try to score a goal to cut the deficit, but couldn’t break through the South Tyroleans’ compact defense. Ritten, for its part, remained dangerous and continued to test Haim before an open back-and-forth battle ensued. The score remained unchanged until the final buzzer.
