Salzburg Exits Champions League with a Defeat

The Red Bulls lead against the Swedish champions after the first period but are clearly outplayed afterwards.

Source text: © LAOLA1

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EC Red Bull Salzburg, as expected, leaves the ice as losers in their final appearance in this year's Champions Hockey League.

The former serial champions of the win2day ICE Hockey League had to concede a 2-4 defeat to reigning Swedish champions Skelleftea AIK, after initially leading 1-0.

The Red Bulls conclude the league phase of hockey's premier class with three points from six games. Their sole victory came from a 3-0 win over Bili Tygri Liberec on matchday two.

Robertson Puts Salzburg Ahead

For the third time this season, the Mozartstadt team faces a representative of the Swedish SHL. They initially held their own against the champions from Skelleftea in front of a sparse crowd.

In a largely balanced first period, Dennis Robertson gave the Austrians a 1-0 lead with a one-timer (13th minute/PP).

Without the recovering captain Thomas Raffl, as well as the injured Michael Raffl and Peter Schneider, Salzburg went into the first intermission with a narrow lead.

Skelleftea Turns the Game Around

In the middle period, Skelleftea hit the gas pedal hard, pinning Salzburg in their own zone – a 21-2 shot advantage in favor of the Swedes spoke volumes.

Consequently, the hosts turned the game on its head: Hjalmar Nilsen (26th), Oskar Vuollet (29th/PP), and Jonathan Davidsson (34th) converted the deficit into a two-goal lead.

Shortly after the start of the third period, Vuollet scored his second goal of the evening to make it 4-1 (45th).

Huber Gives Salzburg Hope for a Comeback

After that, Skelleftea shifted down a gear, allowing Mario Huber to make it 4-2 from Salzburg's perspective after a nice play (55th).

The Tyrolean even had a chance for a 4-3 goal shortly after, before goalie David Kickert was pulled for a sixth skater. Nash Nienhuis narrowly missed the third goal after an ideal cross-pass from Benjamin Nissner (59th).

Ultimately, it remained 4-2. Skelleftea had already qualified for the knockout stage, and after their fifth win in six games, they sit in second place. Salzburg will conclude the CHL season at best in 20th place out of 24.