Dhe Fischtown Pinguins from Bremerhaven were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the playoffs in the German Ice Hockey League. The Seestädter lost the sixth of seven possible games against title favorite EHC Red Bull Munich on Sunday with a narrow margin of 1: 2 (0: 0, 1: 1, 0: 1) and in the end, despite a surprising 2: 0 series lead, had to lose with 2 :4 beaten.
Phillip Bruggisser gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in front of 4,631 spectators (24th minute). Bayern turned the match around with goals from Yasin Ehliz (30′) and Austin Ortega (52′). “Bremerhaven demanded everything from us,” even Munich’s coach Don Jackson enthused about the North Germans at Magentasport.
Despite the disappointment, Penguins coach Thomas Popiesch was not dissatisfied. “The team fought until the last second. Sometimes it’s so hard in sports. We can’t blame the team,” said the coach. “Red Bull had qualities in the end, we couldn’t do anything about it.”
The Grizzlys Wolfsburg have been able to avert the premature end of the season for the time being. The Lower Saxony won against the Straubing Tigers after extra time 4:3 (1:1, 0:1, 2:1, 1:0) and equalized in the series to 3:3. Spencer Machacek scored the acclaimed winner in the 62nd minute. The decision will now be made on Tuesday in game seven in Straubing.
