Release from 11.11.2024

Salzburg returns from international break with CHL Round of 16

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On Tuesday, November 12, EC Red Bull Salzburg hits the ice in the Champions Hockey League Round of 16. The Austrian squad will face off against Finland’s Lahti Pelicans in an away game in Lahti, puck drop at 5:30 PM CET (live on ORF Sport+). The return leg is set for a week later, on Wednesday, November 20, in Salzburg at 8:20 PM CET (also on ORF Sport+).

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After a strong CHL group stage, the Red Bulls finished 8th out of 24 teams in the regular season. With four wins in six games, including key victories over the ZSC Lions and Växjö Lakers, Austria’s defending champs enter the Round of 16 with confidence. But the Lahti Pelicans are no pushovers—they also bagged four wins in their group, showcasing their firepower with a whopping 10-1 win over the Rouen Dragons. Despite their CHL success, the Pelicans have been struggling a bit in Finland’s top Liiga, sitting 12th out of 16 teams after 18 games.

Seeking Revenge Against the Pelicans
This matchup holds extra weight for Salzburg. Just last year, the Red Bulls narrowly missed the playoffs after a tough 5-1 loss to the Pelicans in their final CHL group game, playing with a short-handed lineup.

The Opponent: Lahti Pelicans
The Lahti Pelicans are a well-established team in the Finnish Liiga and have shown solid form in recent years. Back in the 2018-19 season, under head coach Ville Nieminen, they finished third in the Liiga standings. This CHL appearance marks the Pelicans’ debut in the tournament.

CHL Playoff Format
The top 16 teams from the 24-team field advance to the playoff Round of 16, with matchups based on regular season rankings (1 vs. 16, 2 vs. 15, etc.). The bracket then progresses to the final. The playoff games are two-legged affairs, with total aggregate score deciding the winner. Only the final is a single winner-takes-all game.

Champions Hockey League Round of 16
November 12, 2024, 5:30 PM CET: Lahti Pelicans vs. EC Red Bull Salzburg
LIVE on ORF SPORT+