EC Red Bull Salzburg will meet Pioneers Vorarlberg in the basic round of the win2day ICE Hockey League on Wednesday in Feldkirch (7:30 p.m., Sporteurope.tv).
After the 4-1 win in the first leg four weeks ago in Salzburg, the Red Bulls now want to be successful in Feldkirch and get back to winning ways after their recent defeat against Pustertal.
Initial situation
For the Red Bulls, it’s still about staying in touch with the top of the table or getting closer to it again. In the last home game on Sunday against the league leaders from the Puster Valley, the Red Bulls (5th) played on equal terms, but had to keep chasing a deficit in the 3:5 defeat and were ultimately left behind in the decisive phase. Small mistakes were identified in Salzburg’s game, which sometimes made it too easy for the strong South Tyroleans to score goals. These errors should be eliminated quickly.
The away game against the Pioneers – currently bottom of the table – is a good indicator, as the Red Bulls have often struggled to play their usual game in Feldkirch. Even though the Vorarlbergers have lost their last five games, they often wait patiently for counterattack opportunities and if you let them get into the game at home, they are a very unpleasant opponent in their own hall.
Both teams want better goals
Statistically speaking, both teams have one thing in common: they don’t make enough of their scoring chances. The Red Bulls currently rank 10th in Shot Efficiency with 8.49%, followed by the 11th-place Pioneers with 8.28%. For comparison: Olimpija Ljubljana (second in the table) holds the top value with 15.1%.
Red Bull’s advantage: The defending champion shoots significantly more often and therefore creates more chances. The Red Bulls have scored 44 goals so far (sixth best), the Pioneers have scored 25 goals (bottom).
Adrian Gesson is back at his home club for the first time
The Red Bulls will still have to make do with the convalescents Ali Wukovits, Peter Hochkofler, Philipp Wimmer, Devante Stephens and Lukas Schreier in Feldkirch. Michael Raffl also gets a break. In addition to defender Alexander Rebernig – who turned 20 yesterday – and striker Mathias Böhm, academy striker Adrian Gesson will also be playing again in Feldkirch. For the 19-year-old Feldkirch native, who has already scored a goal in eight ICE games and played against the Pioneers in Salzburg, it is the first trip with the professionals to his home club in Feldkirch.
Statement by Adrian Gesson
“I hope that I can help the team. We are playing against a good team where you have to be careful on the counterattack. And they are efficient in front of the goal. It is important that we play with discipline. For me it is like a little dream come true. Playing in Feldkirch, in front of the home crowd. I am really looking forward to it.”
Eternal record Red Bulls vs. Pioneers Vorarlberg
Since 2022: 13 games | 10 wins RBS | 3 wins PIV
Last ten games: SSSNSSSSNS
Last six away games: NSSNSS
win2day ICE Hockey League
Pioneers Vorarlberg – EC Red Bull Salzburg
Wed, October 29, 2025 | Feldkirch, 7:30 p.m
Sporteurope.tv
ecrbs.redbulls.com , Image: EC Red Bull Salzburg
