EC red Bull Salzburg extended their winning form with a decisive 5-2 victory over the EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV on the road Tuesday night, marking their continued dominance in the ICE hockey league.[[3]] The Austrian powerhouse built a commanding lead in the first period and withstood a determined rally from Villach, solidifying their position atop the league standings. The game also included a pre-faceoff moment of silence to honour former VSV forward Jason Lafrenière.
Red Bull Salzburg defeated the EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV 5-2 on the road, capitalizing on efficient scoring and a dominant first period to secure the victory. Despite a spirited comeback attempt from Villach, the Austrian side proved too strong, extending their lead in the league standings. The loss for VSV comes as they look to climb the table in a competitive season.
First Period
The match began with a moment of silence honoring former VSV forward Jason Lafrenière. Salzburg quickly took control, with Thomas Raffl creating the first major chance, driving through the neutral zone and forcing a strong save from VSV goaltender Joe Cannata. The pressure continued, as Corcoran fired a shot from the blue line that Cannata deflected, but St. Denis was denied twice on the rebound. Villach responded with a counterattack, Scherbak setting up Hancock for a dangerous shot that Tolvanen managed to save.
Just over five minutes into the game, Salzburg broke the deadlock. Raffl’s pass from the goal line found Nissner, who battled through traffic and forced the puck across the line after multiple attempts. The goal ignited the Salzburg offense, and they doubled their lead in the tenth minute. Troy Bourke escaped the Villach defense, receiving a perfect pass from Huber and finishing with a backhand shot. Salzburg continued to dominate, extending their advantage to 3-0 when St. Denis lofted a shot from a sharp angle that caught Cannata by surprise. Van Nes had Villach’s best chance of the period, but his breakaway attempt sailed wide. The first period ended with Salzburg firmly in control, leading 3-0.
Second Period
Villach came out with more energy in the second period, creating early pressure. Hutchison battled for the puck in the offensive zone, and MacPherson’s shot from the blue line was saved by Tolvanen. However, Salzburg quickly responded, with Coe nearly scoring after a strong play in the Villach zone, but Cannata made a crucial save. Villach struggled to generate sustained offense, with most attacks stifled by the Salzburg defense.
Midway through the period, Villach began to find their rhythm, with Hughes, Helewka, and Hutchison creating a sustained attack. They finally broke through with just under six minutes remaining in the period. St. Denis was assessed a two-minute penalty for slashing Thomas Vallant, giving Villach a power play. After circulating the puck, Lindner fired a wrist shot that Tolvanen couldn’t hold, and Rebernig pounced on the rebound to make it 3-1. Villach nearly tied the game moments later, with Sintschnig breaking away but being denied by Tolvanen’s strong glove save. Salzburg regained momentum late in the period, but Cannata stood tall, denying a breakaway from Wimmer. Hutchison was then called for a penalty for roughing, and Villach entered the final period trailing 3-1.
Third Period
Villach started the third period shorthanded, successfully killing off the penalty. Nissner nearly extended Salzburg’s lead, but Cannata made another key save. Corcoran followed with a shot that Cannata deflected, and Salzburg nearly capitalized on the rebound. Van Nes had a chance to cut the deficit in the 44th minute, intercepting a pass but delaying his shot, allowing Tolvanen to recover.
Villach continued to press, earning a power play when Schneider was called for holding after being deked by Sintschnig. They capitalized quickly, as John Hughes kept possession along the goal line and lofted a perfect shot into the top corner just 13 seconds into the power play. Villach’s momentum continued, and Salzburg struggled to contain the attack, resorting to icing the puck. Cannata then made another spectacular save, denying a breakaway from Thomas Raffl. However, the comeback was halted when a penalty was called against Lindner for hooking during a Salzburg break. Coe converted the penalty shot, calmly skating in and shooting on the backhand to make it 4-2.
Villach pressed for an equalizer, even pulling Cannata from the net in the final minutes. However, Salzburg sealed the victory with an empty-net goal, Nissner scoring to complete the 5-2 scoreline. Salzburg left Villach with three crucial points.
EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV – EC Red Bull Salzburg 2:5 ( 0:3 | 1:0 | 1:2 )
VSV Goalscorers: Rebernig (PP1), Hughes (PP1)
Salzburg Goalscorers: Nissner, Bourke, St. Denis, Coe (PS), Nissner (EN)
