Read below for more information on the Round of 32 series between Storhamar Hamar and Red Bull Salzburg. Storhamar won 6–2 on aggregate to advance to the Round of 16.

Game 1

Without their starting goalie and some of their top players, Red Bull Salzburg turned in a gutsy effort on home ice, outshooting Storhamar 37–23. However, Storhamar capitalized on more of their chances and came out with a 3–1 win to take back to Norway. The second period was especially damaging, where Salzburg led 17–8 in shots but Storhamar scored twice – Jacob Berglund shorthanded and Christian Larrivee on the power play. Kris Beach was the only Salzburg shooter to beat Oskar Ostlund, as Storhamar continue to get great performances from both goalies.

“I think we wanted the game more,” said Larrivee, Storhamar's captain. “We played tight defensively, and I think we won the battles overall. We knew that they were dangerous, but I think we won the battles in our zone and the offensive zone, and it was a good win for us. We know that we can match them, but they have power and you never know. We have to try to finish it off at home.”

“The result was very frustrating,” a clearly disappointed Salzburg coach Dan Ratushny said afterward. “We had more shots on goal than our opponents. The guys did a good job, but they didn't finish off their many great chances. They maybe deserved a better result. So now it will be a very tough challenge in Norway in two weeks but we will work hard to reach our goal to get to the next round. We have to score more – that's the only way we have a chance.”

GAME HIGHLIGHTS | LIVE BLOG & STATS

Preview

Norwegian giant killers Storhamar shocked in the group stage by winning in both Prague and Geneva on back-to-back nights, eventually finishing first in a Group M they were expected to finish last in. They now take on another club that will be much-fancied to go forward in this season's Champions Hockey League. Red Bull Salzburg reached the Round of 16 last season, only to be eliminated by eventual champions Lulea after blowing a five-goal lead on aggregate in one period before losing in a shootout. Despite only winning one game in the group stage, Salzburg are a team that expects to progress in this competition. The first leg being in Salzburg gives the Red Bulls an opportunity to travel to Norway with a lead – however, they will face a Hamar side that is as yet undefeated on the road in the competition. Salzburg's only win was at home against SonderjyskE Vojens.

Closer look: Storhamar Hamar

(3-0-0-1, 9 points, 12:5, 1st in Group M)

Storhamar started their domestic season last week as well, opening with a 2–0 home loss to last year's CHL entrant Valerenga Oslo. However, it is their performance in the CHL that has made this team from just north of Oslo a real team to fear in Europe's elite competition. Road wins against Sparta Prague and Geneve-Servette, coupled with a home victory over the Swiss club and a narrow home loss to the Czechs, put Storhamar into the next round as group winners, and therefore get the advantage of having the return game at home in front of what is expected to be another large and passionate crowd.

Hampus

Gustafsson

2+2, +2

 

Top Forward & CRAMO Top Scorer: Hampus Gustafsson joined Storhamar before the start of this season. Here he teamed up with his old pal Jacob Berglund and together with linemate Alexander Reichenberg they have formed a potent force. Hampus has taken the team scoring lead courtesy of two power-play goals against Genéve-Servette with a couple of assists added. 

 

Christian

Bull

0+4, +2

 

Top Defenceman: Few would have had young Christian Bull down as a dominant force on Storhamar's blue line in the CHL this season. The 19 year old however took to the bigger stage like a duck to water and has this far served up four assists. He has also done very well helping out the team’s strong defence. 

 

Robert

Hestmann

95.65 %

 

Top Goaltender: Storhamar have had some great goaltending in the group stage of the CHL. Robert Hestmann and Oskar Ostlund have shared playing time equally and have a combined save percentage of 96.40! Hestmann, the incumbant starter, recorded a shutout in Geneva, while the up-and-coming Ostlund only conceded one goal in each of his starts.

 

Click here for team statistics.

Closer look: Red Bull Salzburg

(1-0-0-3, 3 points, 10:13, 2nd in Group C)

Salzburg's EBEL season started last Friday, as tradition dictates, by taking on the team they beat in last season's league final, the Vienna Capitals. An overtime loss for the Red Bulls on home ice was followed by a thumping 7–1 defeat on the road to Orli Znojmo, leaving them with just a point from their opening two league games. Adding that to just the solitary win in the CHL from a group with HV71 Jonkoping and SonderjyksE, and that would mark a disappointing start of the campaign for Salzburg – however, if there's one team in Austria that is never under-estimated, it is the Red Bulls.

Benn

Ferriero

4+1, +5

 

Top Forward & CRAMO Top Scorer: Benn Ferriero played a fantastic game against SonderjyskE Vojens by scoring four times. He plays in a line with playmakers John Hughes and Ryan Duncan. All three players are only around 180 cm, but are all strong on the puck. The 28-year-old Ferriero played 98 games in the NHL with 14 goals and 23 points.

 

Zdenek

Kutlak

0+0, +2

 

Top Defenceman: The team has many strong defencemen, so it's not so easy to single out one, but Zdenek Kutlak has looked very good this season so far. He has played strong defensively and finished the group stage with a +2 rating. He is also a strong physical player with a good slap shot from the point.

 

Luka

Gracnar

87.50 %

 

Top Goaltender: Luka Gracnar has been mediocre so far this season in the Champions Hockey League and EBEL, but in both competitions last year he was one of the team's foundations and a big reason for winning the domestic championship. He is also one of the goalies on the Slovenian national team. At 22 years of age, he is one of the rising talents on the Salzburg team.

Click here for team statistics.

Related Links

16.09.2015 – Interview: Storhamar’s Reichenberg: “We didn’t win our group just to give in now”

31.08.2015 – News: Road warriors! Storhamar get upset wins in Prague & Geneva on back-to-back nights

29.08.2015 – Interview: Storhamar captain Larrivee's last-minute game-winner "like a dream come true"

02.05.2015 – Interview: “It's really great” to beat Swiss in opener, says Salzburg & Austrian captain Raffl