EC Red Bull Salzburg took an early lead against Skellefteå AIK in Sweden, but three goals in eight minutes turned the game around as the hosts won 4-2. The result means the Red Bulls miss the Champions Hockey League playoffs for only the second time in the club’s history.
Dennis Robertson opened the scoring with a power-play goal in the 13th minute. Skellefteå took control in the second period and scored three times to lead 3-1 after 40 minutes. The Swedish side added a fourth goal in the final period before Salzburg captain Mario Huber scored in the 55th minute to set the final score.
Huber said Salzburg could take positives from the game despite the defeat, pointing to the team’s fighting spirit and its ability to play with four lines. The club said the Red Bulls had competed with determination for much of the match against the favoured Swedish champions.