Klagenfurt thrash Salzburg seven-one in opening round upset
Klagenfurt beat Salzburg 7-1 in the Ice Hockey League on Thursday, a result that sent the visitors to the top of the table straight away. The hosts had been tipped for victory, but the match quickly fell apart after the opener. By then it was clear this would not be a contest.
We had given a home win at 52 per cent confidence, but the scoreline told a different story entirely. Klagenfurt did not travel to make up the numbers, and they made sure every chance counted. Things came to a head within the first period, and Salzburg never really got back into it.
On paper the gap looked smaller — Salzburg were 14th from a single game with no points, while Klagenfurt sat 1st after one win. But the table does not tell you about the quality of that win. Klagenfurt's three losses in their last five had been narrow, but this was something else.
Saltzburg's recent form had been patchy at best, with defeats to Växjö and Rögle among the worst of the campaign so far. They had beaten Liberec, but that was against a side that does not travel to make up the numbers either. Klagenfurt, meanwhile, had shown they could compete against tougher opposition.
The result leaves Salzburg in a difficult position after one game, while Klagenfurt hold every card going forward. Seven goals against one opponent is not something you forget, and the hosts will need to find answers quickly if they are to avoid falling further behind.
