Salzburg – KAC | 4.30pm: Salzburg create a derby atmosphere at the KAC

The Villacher Adler is known to have been KAC‘s arch rivals for decades. Red Jackets vs Red Bulls Salzburg is a less explosive duel with a lot of emotions and close results. Since Mozartstadt joined the league in 2004, the two teams have faced each other 174 times, including the final last season. “Games against Salzburg are nothing less than a derby. In recent years the games have always been close and competitive, with the better conditions of the day usually deciding between victory and defeat. I think it will be like that this time too,” defender David Maier believes in another duel on equal terms – as at the beginning of the season, when the KAC with the narrowest of margins in the penalty shootout thanks to three goals from Mathias Bho. However, there is a question mark behind the appearance of the newcomer from Denmark (sick); Raphael Herburger, Jan Muršak and Simeon Schwinger (all injured) definitely out.

The Red Jackets want to work on their consistency against the reigning champions. “When we concede a goal or two, it often takes us far too long to recover and get back into the game. Regardless of the result, we have to play our ice hockey for 60 minutes and not allow ourselves to be distracted from our path too easily. “We definitely still have room for improvement in this area,” Maier said. There would be no secrets between the two teams, both sides relying on a direct, fast-paced game. “The Bulls play very aggressively and try to build a lot of pressure. We have to be on guard, skate a lot, play simply and quickly,” explained the 24-year-old defender, for whom the Friday without a game has come at the right time. “We had a very tight schedule with the CHL, so every day is worth it where you can recharge your batteries in gold.”