Release from 15.01.2019

Showdown for EC Red Bull Salzburg in CHL Semi-Finals

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If the EC Red Bull Salzburg advances to the Champions Hockey League Final will be decided when the Semi-Final return game takes place on Wednesday. Anything is possible in the match-up against EHC Red Bull Munich, as the teams start from level on aggregate (0:0). ORF Sport + broadcasts the deciding game live at 20:15 o’clock. On Tuesday the HC Pilsen (CZE) will try to overturn a three-goal deficit against the Frölunda Indians (SWE) for reaching the CHL Final.

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The EC Red Bull Salzburg is Erste Bank Eishockey Liga’s first participant in a Champions Hockey League Semi-Final ever. After a non-goal first Semi-Final leg at EHC Red Bull Munich, this deciding game starts from a tied score, making it all to play for in the return game. Both teams have their first chance reaching the Final. The Austrian side gained two wins in the past national championship games, scoring nine goals on aggregate. The Red Bulls need to stick to the past scoring efficiency in the upcoming game and further need to continue their great defensive-performance of the previous CHL campaign. Salzburg received the second lowest amount of goals against of all four teams placed in the Semi-Final (22). The Frölunda Indians got 21 goals against. The EHC Red Bull Munich, who currently has the best scorer of all CHL-Teams in the roster with Trevor Parkes (9 G), played two away games since the first leg, each winning 5:2. 

Salzburg defender Dominique Heinrich: “We need to continue with our solid defense, like we did in the first leg. Further, we need to create much more chances on the offensive end. The Munich’s had a tight defense past game and did not allow us to score. But again, we need to be attentive on the defensive end too.” 

Salzburg defender Alexander Pallestrang: “We are fine with our defensive performance in the past two Erste Bank Eishockey Liga games. We need a strong defense against Munich too. We are very happy about a full packed arena and looking forward to that amazing atmosphere.” 

Game regulations & second Semi-Final

Match-ups are played in a home-and-away two-game series. The aggregate score after two games determines which team will advance to the next round. Overtime and shootouts can only happen following the return game if the aggregate score, after two games, is tied. Overtime will be 10 minutes sudden-death (20 minutes in the Final), followed by a shootout if there is no goal scored (5 shooters each team). Teams will play 4-on-4 in OT.

When HC Pilsen play the Frölunda Indians on Tuesday (face-off at 17:30) the home team needs the strong support of their fans to overcome a three-goal deficit (3:6) against the two-time champions who are trying to make it to the CHL Final for a fourth time.

Champions Hockey League, Semi-Final second leg:
Wed, 16.01.2019: EC Red Bull Salzburg vs. EHC Red Bull München (20:15, ORF Sport + live)

Result of the first leg:
Tue, 08.01.2019: EHC Red Bull München vs. EC Red Bull Salzburg 0:0 (0:0, 0:0, 0:0)