EC Red Bull Salzburg took a sensational win in the final of Red Bulls Salute by defeating reigning champions Sparta Prague 3-2 in a shootout...
For the first time in five years, the Red Bulls made it through to the final of their own invitational tournament in Salzburg, Austria. Facing title-holders Sparta Prague of the Czech Republic, it was sure to a closely-fought tie.
Sparta started strongly and took an early lead after just two minutes when Jakub Langhammer fired in. The deficit acted as a wake-up call for the Bulls, however, and as they switched focus to all-out attack, Sparta were brought under enormous pressure. The reward finally came with Jonathan Filewich's equaliser in the 28th minute.
An experienced Sparta side were not to be silenced, though, and despite several great saves from Salzburg goalie David Leneveu, former NHL player Martin Rucinski powered through on 32 minutes to once again shoot the Czech side into the lead.
The Red Bulls were forced to take a high-risk strategy, and attacked in wave after wave to try to break a resolute Sparta defence. On 59 minutes, they were finally rewarded. After confusion in front of the Sparta goal, Kelsey Wilson took up the puck, slashed it into the net and led his team into the shootout.
Once the nerves had settled, it came down to the smallest player of the tournament to keep a straight head in the shootout. Canadian Ryan Duncan stepped up to power in the deciding strike and secure the title for the Bulls.
Red Bulls Salute 2009 / FINAL
EC Red Bull Salzburg 3-2 HC Sparta Prague (0-1, 1-1, 1-0) after shootout
Goals: Filewich (28), Wilson (59), Duncan (PS); Langhammer (2), Rucinsky (32)
Third-place play-off
Espoo Blues 5-3 ZSKA Moscow (1-2, 2-0, 2-1)
Goals: Miettinen (17), Ohmann (39/PP), Laakso (39/PP), Lajunen (52/PP), Stahlhammar (60/EN); Hartigan (3/PP), Nikulin (13), Parshin (58/PP)
Fifth-place play-off
Adler Mannheim 4-2 ZSC Lions (2-0, 2-1, 0-1)
Goals: Maurer (3), Hedlund (13/PP), Trepanier (23/PP), Martinec (24); Alston (31/PP), Monnet (49/PP)
Comments
Add a comment