Defeat in the CHL

Ice bull Schneider: “More could have been possible”

Right at the start of the Champions Hockey League, EC Red Bull Salzburg had to deal with last season's finalists. Peter Schneider and Co. came within three minutes of overtime against the favorites Skelleftea. 

The current Swedish champions, finalists in last season's Champions League - concentrated European ice hockey power rolled towards the Eisbullen on Friday. And Austria's champions sold themselves very dearly in their premier league opener. Schneider equalized Skelleftea's lead in the middle third on the power play. But penalties remained the issue, not only for Lewington, who was in the cool box three times in the first 23 minutes of the game.

When Robertson was caught, the Swedish bombs struck twice in an overtime game (the Champions League rule makes it possible). However, captain Raffl made it 2:3 after a great combination - again in a power play. Goalie Lindvall had work to do and was powerless against Thaler - 3:3. It smelled like overtime before the visitors scored 143 seconds before the end - Rowe lost a duel. The 3:4 on the new video cube was official.

"We equalized and had a chance to win the game. Before our opponents capitalized on a lost puck," said coach Oliver David. Peter Schneider was annoyed: "We could have done more this time."

The second home game against Sönderjyske awaits on Sunday. The Danish champions lost 3-0 in Straubing.

Champions Hockey League

Red Bull Salzburg - Skelleftea 3:4 (0:1, 2:2, 1:1). 0:1 (8.) Forsfäll, 1:1 (25.) Schneider (PP), 1:2 (27.) Nilsson (PP), 1:3 (28.) Johnson (PP), 2:3 (32.) T. Raffl (PP), 3:3 (44.) Thaler, 3:4 (58.) Johnson.

Bulls line-up: Tolvanen; Murphy, Robertson; Lewington, Genoway; Nienhuis, Sinn; Stapelfeldt; Schneider, Nissner, T. Raffl; Huber, Rowe, Krening; Thaler, Bourke, Kraus; Hochkofler, Wukovits, Auer; Schreier. - Ice arena, 2035, Huber/M. Nikolic.