Ilves and Red Bull Salzburg couldn’t find a winner before the penalty shootout where the Austrians triumphed and won the game 1–2. Ilves’ goal was scored by Joona Ikonen.
The guests take the lead on the powerplay
Red Bull Salzburg’s Benjamin Nissner got a chance in the second minute, but the forwards shot rised over the top left corner. The first penalty of the game was given to Aku Räty for interference at 2.40.
It only took the visiting team 31 seconds before Thomas Raffl redirected Peter Schneider’s pass through the five-hole of Ilves goaltender Marek Langhamer and gave the Austrian team a 0–1 lead at 3.11.
Salzburg was just an inch away from doubling their lead on the fifth minute, but Nissner’s hard wrister hit the post and Ilves defence was able to clear the puck from the goal crease.
Ilves created its first chance in the 13th minute, but Jani Nyman’s one-timer was stopped by goaltender Atte Tolvanen. The play continued and soon Thomas Raffl had to interfere Ilves forward Henrik Haapala at 13.34. Petri Kontiola’s shot from a cross-ice pass was the home team’s best scoring chance, but the forward couldn’t hit the net.
One and a half minute before the buzzer Tommi Tikka and Joona Ikonen combined well, but Tolvanen was able to deny the latter’s shot. Salzburg also had a chance in the last minute, but Peter Schneider’s shot was saved by Marek Langhamer. Les Lancaster took a penalty for cross-checking at 19.32, but no more goals were seen in the first period.
The first 20 minutes didn’t go according to the home team’s plan, which was also evident in the goaltenders saves made: Marek Langhamer 13, Atte Tolvanen 3.
Control but no results
Red Bull Salzburg’s powerplay continued in the second period, but didn’t result in a goal. Ilves almost scored a lucky tying goal right after returning full strenght but Les Lancaster’s backhander only hit the post after a gift from goaltender Atte Tolvanen.
Ilves got its turn on the powerplay when Tyler Lewington was sent to the penalty box for boarding at 22.04. The unit led by Petri Kontiola created a great chance but Matias Mäntykivi’s one-timer missed the half open net.
Salzburg’s Florian Baltram tested Marek Langhamer in the eight minute, but the Czech goaltender kept his pads together and saved the forward’s backhander. Ilves got another powerplay as Dennis Robertson got a minor for roughing at 27.35 but couldn’t capitalize.
The away team still couldn’t stay out of the box and the next penalties were given to Andrew MacWilliam for tripping at 31.03 and Benjamin Nissner for interference at 33.41. Salzburg also got shorthanded for too many players on the ice at 36.04 but killed all these penalties without conceding a goal despite Ilves creating decent chances.
In the last minute Ilves’ Swedish defenseman Leo Lööf crashed the net and Tommi Tikka had a chance in front of the net, but Atte Tolvanen’s goal stayed untouched. The frustrating period controlled by Ilves was culminated in a hooking penalty by Eemeli Suomi at 40.00.
Ilves finally scores
After many chances on the powerplay in the second period Ilves finally found the net in the beginning of the third. The shorthanded goal was scored by Joona Ikonen and assisted by defenseman Dominik Mašín. The home team tied the game at 1–1 at 41.56.
The visiting team took charge of the possession during the next minutes and forced Marek Langhamer to a couple of good saves. At 46.46 Henrik Haapala received a penalty for cross-checking but the Austrian team failed to score on their fourth powerplay.
Ilves’ first powerplay in the period came at 53.44 when Andrew MacWilliam took a penalty for checking to the head. Petri Kontiola had a change at the backpost to give Ilves the lead but Atte Tolvanen’s great save kept the game tied at 1–1.
Ei ollut johtomaali kaukana… 😱
56 min Ilves–Red Bull Salzburg 1-1#Ilves #ChampionsGoBeyond pic.twitter.com/3dZf60eb63
— Tampereen Ilves (@ilveshockey) September 11, 2022
Two minutes before the end Les Lancaster shot from the second wave of the attack but hit the glass and moments laster Tolvanen saved Joona Ikonen’s shot. 60 minutes wasn’t enough to decide the game so overtime followed.
Salzburg wins the shootout
The teams couldn’t create scoring opportunities in the first half of the five minute overtime until Balazs Sebok’s chance gave the home team and crowd some momentum. Ilves then took the extra skater on the ice 40 seconds before the end, which almost resulted in a game-winning goal. Eemeli Suomi’s one-timer hit the post but wasn’t enough to clinch the game, which meant it was time for a penalty shootout.
Nine pairs were needed to decide a winning team and this it was Red Bull Salzburg. The decisive goal was scored by Troy Bourke who was successful in three of his four attempts in the penalty shootout. Ali Wukovits also scored for the visiting team and Ilves scorers in the penalty shootout were Les Lancaster, Joona Ikonen ja Matias Mäntykivi.
Attendance: 4591
Next CHL games
Ilves will face Norwegian team Stavanger Oilers in Tampere on Tuesday 4th of October and in Stavanger on Wednesday 12th of October. In order to secure a place in the CHL playoffs Ilves needs to win the remaining two games and get the suitable results from the games between Fribourg-Gottéron and Red Bull Salzburg.
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