Salzburg prevents Champions League debacle after 0-5 deficit

EC Red Bull Salzburg travels back to Austria without points.

The "Ice Bulls" also lost their second game of their Sweden double-header, falling 3-6 to the Växjö Lakers. On Friday, they suffered a 0-5 defeat against Rögle BK.

0-5 after 27 minutes

Initially, it looked like a rout in the south of the country as well.

Eemeli Suomi (8th minute), Jimi Suomi (13th minute), and Hugo Gustafsson (19th minute) gave Växjö a 3-0 lead in the first period. Dennis Rasmussen (24th/PP) and Eemeli Suomi again (27th) extended the lead to 5-0 in the middle frame.

Three goals fuel comeback hopes

A short time later, the Red Bulls got on the scoreboard for the first time during a power play. Robertson's shot from behind the goal line luckily bounced off the back of Växjö keeper Ludvig Persson and into the net (31st/PP).

A double strike after the second intermission definitively fueled hopes of a comeback. Nissner scored from the slot for 2-5 (42nd) after a nice combination with Schneider. Shortly after, Poisson tapped the puck over the line via a rebound (45th).

In the final phase, the Letang-squad went all in, pulling goalie Atte Tolvanen for an extra skater during a power play. However, the risk did not pay off, as Lucas Elvenes slid the puck into the empty net (60th/EN).

Slim chances for knockout phase

With two remaining games in the league phase, the Mozart city residents still hold three points. Currently, in 20th place, they are outside the Top 16, who qualify for the knockout phase.

In October, the home game against Germany's champion Eisbären Berlin awaits, as well as an away trip to Sweden's champion Skelleftea AIK.