EC Red Bull Salzburg took the game by the scruff of the neck, dominating the first third. Steven Regier (4/PP) opened the scoring with a deserved goal. The Russians fought back but the Bulls continued to control play with Jonathan Filewich (12/PP) and again Regier (15) netting to extend the lead to 3-0 by the end of the first period.
In the second third, ZSKA Moscow rallied and went on the attack. In the 22nd minute Yakob Rylov pulled one back. ZSKA went on the offensive and tried to unsettle the hosts with a more aggressive approach. But the EC Red Bull Salzburg kept their heads, played around the Russians and kept control of the game.
In the last third, Moscow added a second goal but just two minutes later Filewich scored again in a 5-3 powerplay and to seal a great win.
“It’s a dream come true for us,” said team captain Thomas Koch. “I think every hockey player wants to win against a famous Russian team. But now we have to focus on the final. It’s not every day that you get a chance to win your own tournament."
Sparta first to the draw
Red Bull Salzburg will face Sparta Prague in Sunday’s final after the Czechs beat Espoo Blues 5-4 in the other semi final.
With the scores evenly balanced at 4-4 after 60 minutes, the match went to a shootout with the more experienced Czechs scoring three in three attempts.
Game 5
HC Sparta Prague 5-4 Espoo Blues (3-3, 1-0, 0-1) after shootout
Goals: Kratena (1, 12/PP), Cernocek (17, 34), Bros (65/PS); Heiskanen (5/PP), Laakso (16/PP), Lajunen (17), Lammassaari (50)
Game 6
EC Red Bull Salzburg 4-2 ZSKA Moscow (3-0, 0-1, 1-1)
Goals: Regier (4/PP, 15), Filewich (12, 55/PP); Rylov (22/PP), Dimitrakos (53/PP)
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