Reigning CHL Champions Rögle Ängelholm suffered a crushing loss during their First Game in the Round of 16 against Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg. The 3-1 win by the Austrians broke Rögle's unbeaten record thus far, setting the stage for an intense Return Game. 

While the win gives the Austrian side an advantage going into the next match, Head Coach Matt McIlvane was pensive following the victory, mindful of the depth of talent on Rögle's roster and the challenge ahead. 

Statistically, the teams were close in a number of metrics: shots on target, blocked shots, and hits for both sides were relatively even, with the Austrians rifling 28 shots compared to the Swedes' 26. Salzburg were slightly better off on faceoffs, winning 35 against Rögle's 29. Both teams also netted a powerplay goal while successfully fending off their remaining penalty kills, although home team Salzburg had four more minutes to kill. 

The biggest separator on the evening was shot efficiency, hosts Salzburg found the back of the net more consistently, while the absence of Rögle's top sniper Adam Tambellini was felt. The first line of the Austrian side inflicted the bulk of the damage on Rögle netminder Calle Clang thanks to goals by Dennis Robertson and Benjamin Nissner. Canadian defenceman Robertson was a standout on the night, pulling the trigger seven times for one goal.

Salzburg netminder Atte Tolvanen made 25 saves to round out the night with a solid 96.15 save percentage compared to Clang's 89.29. Ludvig Larsson scored the single on Tolvanen, a powerplay goal to tie the game in the second period, but the Swedes would be kept scoreless for the remainder of the game.

Rögle Head Coach Cam Abbott was disappointed with the outcome, but keenly aware of the adjustments his side will be looking to execute in the upcoming match. Adjusting to the tight, man-to-man play executed by Salzburg, and better effecitveness on scoring chances will be focus points for Rögle.

With a two-goal deficit on aggregate to cover, Rögle will be looking for surgical offense, or risk their chances of a back-to-back CHL title flatlining. For Salzburg, who bowed out in the Round of 16 this time last year, this game represents a chance to qualify for their first Champions Hockey League Quarter-Finals appearance since their 2018/19 campaign.