In the Win2day Ice Hockey League, the round game of the EC Red Bull Salzburg and HCB South Tyrol Alperia (7:15 p.m., traditional game, Sporteurope.tv) will be the top game of the EC Red Bull Salzburg on Friday.
The duel in the table against the third party is the first second leg in the still young basic round, the first leg for the league opening on September 12th in Bolzano won the Red Bulls with 4: 3.
Starting situation
When the Red Bulls meet HCB South Tyrol on Friday, high tension is announced again. Even the first first leg in Bolzano only ended with one goal difference in favor of the Red Bulls, which subsequently only had to give up in a total of six games (against Puster Valley). With the defeat against Salzburg, the South Tyroleans also recorded their only basic round, so that the second encounter is a direct duel for second place in the table – if the league is defeated, the top of the table would even be possible for the top of Salzburg.
The first palpation is over
Apart from the fact that the South Tyroleans have one game less than the Salzburgers, both teams have been going to step into steps so far. They are only separated by two points, each record only one defeat and a goal difference of 18: 9 (RBS) or 19: 7 (HCB). Also in the distribution of the goal scorers – nine in Salzburg, eleven in Bolzano – there is a similar picture for both teams. Only Salzburg’s defender Connor Corcoran is the outlier with five goals.
Mario Huber in front of comeback
There is a first bright spot at the Red Bulls in the warehouse of the injured. Mario Huber will give his comeback against Bolzano tomorrow, the 29-year-old striker was missing for five weeks because of a facial injury and now plays his first competition game. Furthermore, Ali Wukovits, Peter Hochkofler, Troy Bourke – is again in team training, a return to the game is emerging again -, Philipp Wimmer, Maximilian Wurzer, Vadim Schreiner and Lukas Hörl. The debut by newcomer Brandon Coe also has to wait until all formalities are met.
Statement Niki Kraus
“We have a tough opponent in front of us. It wasn’t easy to play in Bolzano and the South Tyroleans showed strong games in the last games. They definitely put a step on your game. But we are prepared for it.”
ecrbs.redbulls.com Image: Pa pictures/ Gintare Karpaviciute
