ERC Ingolstadt's Riley Barber had a career night, netting a hattrick to go along with one assist, as the Germans put on an offensive clinic against Red Bull Salzburg in this 6-2 decision. Salzburg's inability to find the net has plagued them all season long, and this contest was no different as they were outshot and outscored by a strong Ingolstadt.

Working out the kinks on offence has been a problem for the Austrians as they've only registered 16 tallies so far this season, while giving up 17. Of course, no one player is to blame for this under-production, but several key cogs in Salzburg's offence from years past have been conspicuously absent on the scoresheet this season, and the club's success has been suspect because of it.

Lack of scoring aside, their netminding - which has been a bright spot for the team - was tested iin the First Game. Workhorse Atte Tolvanen was allowed six goals on 38 shots, but a bigger concern is the fact that Salzburg's defence, which has helped to keep games relatively close this season, was seen missing in this contest.

There is a good chance the Austrians are able to rebound on the defensive side of things, but the problem of finding the net still remains. If Salzburg hope to continue on in the competition, then as has been said before, they'll need to convert on their opportunities. Not for nothing, but the Austrians will also need to play a more disciplined game - 11 infractions rarely bode well for a team trying to make a run of it.

The Germans wasted no time in turning their 1-0 lead into a 3-1 advantage by the end of the first frame. It helped that Ingolstadt were awarded so many powerplay opportunities, but only converting twice is certainly something they'll need to look at. This score could have easily been tilted even more in their favour had they been able to manufacture the same offensive numbers with the extra attacker that they managed at even strength.

Still, a four-goal aggregate lead is a nice spot to be sitting in as they head to Salzburg for the Return Game. If they're able to continue putting on the pressure and forcing play to draw penalties, all the while putting a chokehold on an already inefficient Salzburg offence, Ingolstadt can all but ensure their place in the next round of the 2025/26 campaign.