EC Red Bull Salzburg ends the week in the win2day ICE Hockey League with the Sunday home game against HCB Südtirol Alperia (Eisarena Salzburg, 4:30 p.m., live stream). In the big game of the round, the two neighbors with the same points in the table will meet ten rounds before the end of the regular round and decide who will be placed third in the table.
Initial situation
Salzburg and Bozen are meeting for the fourth time this season. The Red Bulls won twice and the Foxes once. The away team always prevailed. Just two weeks ago, the Red Bulls narrowly won the game in Bolzano 2-1 after a penalty shootout. In the last regular season duel of the current season, the Red Bulls want to turn the tables and break the visiting team’s previous dominance with a home win. That would be all the more important since they have already played one game more than Bozen.
Of course, a tough duel at eye level is expected again. Both opponents are not giving up an inch in the rivalry that has grown over the last few years and are also eyeing second place in the table, which would entitle them to early participation in the CHL in 2026/27. The Red Bulls clearly dominated the game for long stretches in yesterday’s 5-2 win in Villach and are therefore broadly positioned for the game against Bolzano. The South Tyroleans also come to Salzburg with a sense of achievement; with the 3-2 home win against Budapest, head coach Doug Shedden’s team secured three points yesterday.
Defense is key
The Red Bulls have been considered the best defensive team in the league for several weeks and now have the top score with 78 goals conceded. Bozen also knows how to defend and has the fourth strongest defensive bulwark with 93 goals conceded. The last man in front of the goal is crucial. The Red Bulls can rely on a strong goalkeeper duo. David Kickert is currently the best goalkeeper in the league with a catch rate of 94.43%, Atte Tolvanen has 91.21% saved shots. For comparison: Sam Harvey, who played 29 of the 37 games in Bolzano, has 90.65%.
Personnel situation
Peter Hochkofler wasn’t feeling well yesterday before the game against Villach. The striker was therefore immediately examined in hospital in Villach. No abnormalities were found. He is doing well again, but further tests will be carried out today to determine his health. His appearance against Bolzano tomorrow also depends on this. Dennis Robertson is also still questionable, Ali Wukovits is continuing to train for his comeback.
www.redbulls.com, Image: EC Red Bull Salzburg/Manuel Mackinger
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