The Adler Mannheim are in the DEL semi-finals. The Fischtown Pinguins are initially the more effective team, but then the hosts come back into the game.
The Electoral Palatinate team prevailed in the home arena with 4:3 (0:0, 2:2, 2:1) and won the quarter-final series 4:1. Two days after clear 1:6 in Bremerhaven The Eagles showed a concentrated performance in the opening phase and repeatedly put the guests under early pressure in the build-up game. Nicolas Mattinen had a first chance, but Penguins keeper Leon Hungerecker defused the situation (3rd). Shortly afterwards, Mattinen aimed a little too high while standing alone.
However, the guests from Bremerhaven managed to get through this phase unscathed through consistent defensive work. After almost ten minutes, Mattinen had to go to the penalty box for hooking – the Penguins had the advantage. The guests got into the formation quickly, but were unable to score. The Eagles, who had to do without the injured Brendan O’Donnell and Anthony Greco, had a somewhat more difficult time. The penguins had managed to swim a little clearer due to their superiority, and the teams were now meeting on equal terms. Alexander Ehl had the last chance of the first third, but the 26-year-old failed twice to Hungerecker.
Urbas takes care of the leadership of the Penguins
The Penguins got off to a lightning start in the second third. First, Jan Urbas failed to get a rebound into the goal, but seconds later he made it 1-0 for the guests after Ziga Jeglic’s assist (21′). Shortly afterwards, Mannheim’s Maximilian Heim was given two minutes, but Bremerhaven could not use the majority to score the second goal.
Overall, there was now significantly more fire than in the first 20 minutes. The Eagles were now trying to find an answer. In the first power game, the hosts put pressure on the score but were unable to achieve a decisive finish. In the 32nd minute, Hungerecker saved his team’s lead: Justin Schütz appeared completely free in front of the Penguins keeper, but could not overcome him.
Adler and Penguins deliver a furious second third
In the 36th minute, Bremerhaven extended their lead. CJ Smith showed clarity on the right and served Andy Miele beautifully, the American gave keeper Maximilian Franzreb no chance. But now the Eagles had an answer ready, the third advantage led to success after just eleven seconds: Zach Solow deflected a shot from John Gilmour from close range into the goal (37th).
The Pinguins had a great chance to make it 3-1 straight from the face-off, but Franzreb made a brilliant save. Instead, the Eagles equalized seconds before the end of the second period. Leon Gawanke simply brought the discs to the goal, Hungerecker let it rebound and Matthias Plachta made an ice-cold save (40th).
Penguins also advance in the final third
The final third promised high tension and Bremerhaven got off to another dream start. During their first attack, the Eagles lost sight of Nicholas Jensen, who made it 3-2 for the Penguins from close range (42′). A short time later the next power play for the Eagles, but this time there was no return despite good chances.
Mannheim stayed on the trigger and Hungerecker once again saved the guests from equalizing when he aggressively defended the rebound against Lukas Kälble (46th). On the other hand, Alex Friesen was denied by Franzreb, who reacted strongly (48′). Then Bremerhaven’s Jensen and Matthew Abt incurred penalties, which the Eagles took advantage of. With a double majority, Mattinen made it 3:3 (51st).
Four minutes before the end, Mannheim took the lead for the first time. Gawanke finished, Kris Bennett probably deflected the disc slightly and made the SAP Arena celebrate. The hit stood even after the video check. Unlike the supposed decision by Tom Kühnhackl, but the 34-year-old had his stick clearly too high. The Pinguins took goalkeeper Hungerecker off the ice in the last few minutes and put constant pressure on them, but even when they had the majority, the guests were no longer able to equalize. Plachta blocks one last shot seconds before the end.
In addition to the Eagles, the Kölner Haie have been confirmed as semi-final participants. The winners of the series between ERC Ingolstadt and Red Bull Munich (2:3) as well as the Eisbären Berlin and the Straubing Tigers (3:2) will follow.
