EC Red Bull Salzburg played its most successful season so far in the Champions Hockey League (CHL) in the 2018/19 season. The triumphal march of the Eisbullen only ended in the semi-finals, in which they admit defeat to the sister club from Munich.

Memories of this top season were awakened by the draw for the CHL play-off on Friday. Because like three years ago, the Rouen Dragons were drawn as opponents of the round of 16 for Salzburg this year. The French qualified for the play-off as second in the KAC’s CHL group. In both direct duels, the Carinthian ice hockey club prevailed. “I think we got a feasible lot. We know Rouen and know that they have a strong team, but we expect chances”, positive Salzburg captain Thomas Raffl after the draw. The 35-year-old striker was already there in 2018 in the 3: 3 in Rouen and in the 5: 1 home win and had also scored once against the French. Raffl was only released from quarantine after twelve days on Friday and expects to return to training soon after a few medical tests. Should Salzburg prevail against Rouen again, a Scandinavian top club awaits in the quarter-finals with the winner from Tappara Tampere against Växjö Lakers.

Against the background of the CHL draw, the Sunday party Red Bull Salzburg – KAC (16.30) is also of interest. Both teams have won their preliminary round groups. The KAC drew Leksands IF (SWE) on Friday, against which they are underdogs. Nevertheless, they were happy with the lot, as most of the players wanted a top team from Sweden.

The ice bulls had a hard fight with the Graz 99ers on Friday evening. After a 3-0 and 4-2 lead – Salzburg went into the penalty shoot-out, in which TJ Brennan exploited the decisive attempt.