In an extremely entertaining game in the new SAP Garden in Munich, we won 6-4 at EHC Red Bull Munich. After the hosts kept having answers to our lead in the form of equalizing goals, we pulled away decisively shortly before the end. Justin Schütz stands out in the team’s success with a total of five points and a FOUR PACK. We have the match report for a wild game.
In our first competitive game in the newly built SAP Garden in Munich, we got off to a good start against the host EHC Red Bull Munich. After four minutes, Louis-Marc Aubry had a great chance to take the lead after Maxi Kammerer’s good pass into the slot, but his “tip-in” landed on the crossbar of the Munich goal (4th). In the 13th minute we were able to take the lead and reward ourselves for a good start to the game – Justin Schütz scored after a pass from Grenier and MacLeod to make it 1-0 (13th). The hosts had the right answer through Taro Hirose in the 18th minute, which is why the score was 1-1 going into the first period break.
The second third was to be the lowest-scoring third of this varied game – the only goal, which came in the middle period, was scored by Joshua Currie. After Parker Tuomie cleverly won the puck for us in the neutral zone, we quickly switched gears. In the end, Currie stayed cool in front of Wolf in the Munich goal and beat him with a shot through his legs to take the celebrated lead (31′). Both defensive lines prevented further chances, which there were in the second third, through concentrated and aggressive work.
But the last 20 minutes should be tough – and how! But first things first. First, Grenier opened the third period with a power play goal after assists from his line partners MacLeod and Schütz (42nd). Just five minutes later, the hosts – also due to a penalty against us – scored the next goal through DeSousa, which gave them the much-quoted “momentum” – only 3:2. A minute later, once again we were in the penalty box, German international Markus Eisenschmid equalized for RBM, 3-3 (48th).
In the middle of Munich’s best phase, we were able to score a wonderful and at the same time important goal – Schütz initiated the attack himself and was then able to benefit from wonderful preparatory work by van Calster and Grenier, 4:3 (50th). The game was now in its wildest phase. Red Bull was able to equalize again. Benjamin Smith did a good job in the slot and held his ladle into Eisenschmid’s shot, so that Julius Hudacek had no chance to equalize again in his second game for us in the box when the deflected attempt was made.
Our boys didn’t let that deter them and stayed true to their line – in what was probably the game-deciding phase, Justin Schütz once again gave us a 5-4 lead after a Munich mistake in building up the game, a hat trick (55th)! In the last few minutes our boys had to overcome one or two difficult moments on defense, but when Schütz scored with “Empty Netter” a few seconds before the end to make it 6:4 (60th), the game was over. The fact that Schütz was able to record a four-pack should not go unmentioned at this point.
After the game, the team celebrated the important victory in the Bavarian capital on the ice with the fans who had traveled with them and started the journey home to Cologne with three very important points in their luggage!
We continue with two home games this weekend. On Friday we start with the game against the Schwenninger Wild Wings (7:30 p.m.), before two days later, on Sunday, the duel against ERC Ingolstadt is on the agenda (4:30 p.m.).
TORE
0:1 Justin Schütz (Grenier, MacLeod) 13th minute; 1:1 Taro Hirose 18. Minute; 1:2 Joshua Currie (Tuomie) 31. Minute; 1:3 Alexandre Grenier (PP) (MacLeod, Schütz) 42nd minute; 2:3 Christopher DeSousa (PP) (Brooks, Rieder) 47th minute; 3:3 Markus Eisenschmid (PP) (Lancaster, Eder) 48th minute; 3:4 Justin Schütz (van Calster, Grenier) 50th minute; 4:4 Benjamin Smith (Eisenschmid, Blum) 52nd minute; 4:5 Justin Schütz 55th minute; 4:6 Justin Schütz (Aubry) 60th minute
FACTS
- Four-pack plus assist: Justin Schütz recorded five points in the game at SAP Garden
- Both teams scored goals in the power play (Munich two, us one)
- Goal-rich final third: A total of seven goals were scored in the last twenty minutes
- Alexandre Grenier recorded a total of three points (one goal, two assists)
- With his last-minute assist, Louis-Marc Aubry was able to extend his point streak to seven and has scored in every PENNY DEL game to date
VOICES
Despite the recent phase, which wasn’t always easy, we had to believe in ourselves and stick to our plan. Julius Hudacek was good in the box, but we took too many penalties in the third period and that only took revenge. But we have a team of strong character that has found a way to win here at the SAP Garden. We haven’t lost sight of our plan, but we’re learning with every game and will continue to work.
GREGOR MACLEOD
I try to always see the bigger picture. We were able to score points in all of our recent games – with the exception of Frankfurt. I think my team is growing right now. Today we followed our system and that was the key to the important victory. Ultimately, it’s always about the process – the feeling in the dressing room is a good one at the moment. I know my coaching colleague may not be so happy today, but we remain friends.
CHEFTRAINER KARI JALONEN
