Bulls after debacle:

“We have to solve this situation like professionals”

Scored in the 4:3 home win against Innsbruck: Schneider (right).(Bild: Andreas Tröster)

After their bloodless performance against Vorarlberg, the only thing the Bulls can do against Innsbruck is make amends. The Salzburgers want to save the end of the year with fireworks against Innsbruck.

A year ago, the 1:7 home defeat against Pustertal two days before Christmas set the Bulls' Advent wreath alight.

Friday's 1:6 loss at home against Vorarlberg, previously winless in Salzburg, was just as subterranean. The champions lacked everything - there is no excuse for this anemic performance. But there is an obligation to do much better again today in front of their own fans against bottom club Innsbruck. "That was the worst game we've ever played. We have to deal with this situation like professionals," said Oliver David and his coaching team, who are determined to turn the right screws.

The champions have constantly been on a rollercoaster between victory and defeat in their last seven games. Particularly disconcerting: they are last in penalty-killing.

Ice hockey league at seven
It will be interesting to see how Salzburg's fans react to the defeat in the last game of the year. So far, the Bulls have averaged 2728 spectators at home. And are therefore pretty much on course for the ice hockey league (see statistics).

Spectators in Europe's leagues

LeagueGamesTotalAverage

1. DEL (D) 177 1,321,321 7465
2. National League (Sz) 195 1,401,902 7189
3. SHL (Sd) 175 1,141,295 6521
4. Extraliga (Tch) 185 1,046,495 5656
5. Liiga (Fin) 251 1,099,822 4381
6. EIHL (GB) 92320,528 3484
7. ICE Hockey League 169472,355 2795
8. Ligue Magnus (Fr) 154382,924 2486
9. Extraliga (Slk) 160386,365 2414
10. Eliteserien (Nor) 122231,300 1895 Source. DEL; as of December 15, 2024

 This puts the ICEHL in seventh place in a European comparison. The German Ice Hockey League (DEL) is at the top, followed by Switzerland and Sweden.