Dornbirn losing to Champion

January 1st, 2016 | A Story by cdmediateam | Photos: GEPA Pictures.

On New Year’s Day the Dornbirner Eishockey Club was visiting the EC Red Bull Salzburg, and had to swallow a bitter pill: The Champion won outright 5:1. Dornbirn went behind early, and had to accept three powerplay goals by the home team.

It was „Ladies-Night“ on the first day of the new year in the Eisarena Salzburg. And indeed the only ones courted by the team from the city of Mozart were the ladies, definitely not the guests from Dornbirn.

Red Bulls Scored on Powerplay

The home team started off setting a brisk pace, as a result Dornbirn received some early penalties. The Red Bulls made full use of that. First Ryan Duncan (4./pp1) did not think twice, and hammered the puck in top shelf. Then — while 5 on 3 — Brett Sterling (6./pp2) added another early goal to the books. Both times the assist came from playmaker John Hughes, who is completing Salzburg’s first line.

The Red Bulls were dominating the game, but eventually in the second period the Bulldogs upped the tempo as well. Thanks to the rant Headcoach Dave MacQueen had given during the intermission, Dornbirn finally found their way into the game. The match was more even now. During the Red Bulls’ eigth powerplay the guests were close to scoring a shorthander. But Kyle Greentree’s shot got cleared by Luka Gracnar. In return, still on powerplay, Heinrich (34./pp1) made for the 3:0. Once more the assist came from Hughes. The 4:0 by Latusa (36.) was the first non-powerplay goal by Salzburg, and it led to David Madlener replacing Florian Hardy in the Bulldogs’ goal. Madlener for his part did a good job, and only got overcome once. During the final period the DEC worked out some scoring opportunities. But it was the Red Bulls, who got to cheer again: John Hughes (54.) himself took care of the fifth Salzburg-goal of the evening. Two minutes later Michael Caruso (56.) made for the consolation goal, and the final 1:5-score. Dornbirn only came out on top regarding the penalty minutes, and “won” 62:44 in this category in a de facto pretty fair game.

“We took eight penalties in a row and you can’t expect to win playing the first 33 minutes shorthanded for half of the time.” – DEC Head Coach Dave MacQueen.