EHC Red Bull Munich managed to equalize in the semi-final series in the German Ice Hockey League (DEL) by beating the Grizzlys Wolfsburg. The ERC Ingolstadt has also drawn level with the Adler Mannheim.
Munich won 3-1 (0-1, 0-0, 3-0) in Wolfsburg on Thursday (April 6th, 2023) and made it 2-2 in the best-of-seven series. “It was tight the whole time. We had to be patient”, said EHC goalie Mathias Niederberger on “MagentaSport”. Forward Justin Schütz said: “When it was 1-1, we thought the knot had burst. And that’s how it was. A small load fell off.“
Grizzlies also relinquish leadership in the game
For the Grizzlies, who had won twice in a row after their opening defeat in Munich, Darren Archibald scored the lead shortly before the end of the first third (20th). Benjamin Smith equalized after the second break (41′), a little later Konrad Abeltshauser (45′) put Munich ahead for the first time. Yasin Ehliz (60th) got the final score.
In the final phase, Munich survived two power plays by Wolfsburg, which goalkeeper Dustin Strahlmeier took off the ice a good two and a half minutes before the end. But the measure was unsuccessful.
Mannheim home weakness continues
Ingolstadt also equalized in the fourth duel with a 1-0 (0-0, 1-0, 0-0) at Adler Mannheim. Leon Hüttl (21st) shot the ERC to victory. The Eagles tried in vain to equalize and are now in the current playoffs with just one win in five home games. On Saturday, all four teams will fight for the first match puck to advance to the final. In Munich the game will be played at 3.15 p.m. and in Ingolstadt at 6 p.m.