DEL, Matchday 37: EHC Red Bull München challenged by the Augsburger Panthers

Wednesday, 15. January 2025 | DEL, Matchday 37: EHC Red Bull München challenged by the Augsburger Panthers

Derby time at the Curt-Frenzel-Stadion: Red Bulls want to get back on the winning track in Augsburg // DEL - PREVIEWOn Thursday, the Red Bulls will face the Augsburger Panthers for the third time in this PENNY DEL season. The puck drops at 7:30 pm in the Fuggerstadt. You can watch the derby live on MagentaSport, Sportdeutschland.TV and on our blog.

Munich versus Augsburg - this pairing is synonymous with tough ice hockey and plenty of excitement. The two duels this season were no exception: the Red Bulls were initially beaten 2:4 at the SAP Garden before responding with a 3:2 win at the same venue. Our boys also want to respond to last weekend, as they only managed one point against Bremerhaven and in Schwenningen.

More greed in finishing: Red Bulls want to make better use of chances

Efficiency in front of the opposing goal is likely to be the most important factor here. We had enough chances both against Bremerhaven and in Schwenningen, but only one of the 49 shots on goal ended up in the box. The strike rate (2.0 percent) was recently well below the average for this season (10.3 percent).

At the same time, we have players in our ranks who are capable of scoring. Chris DeSousa, for example, has already proven his scoring prowess several times in the duels against Augsburg (seven goals in 14 games). On Thursday, he wants to extend his personal record - and get the Red Bulls back on the road to success.

Troubled Panther season including change of coach

Augsburg fell into a downward spiral after a good start to the season. After six wins out of ten games to date, a run of ten defeats followed in mid-October. Coach Ted Dent was then sacked and sports director Larry Mitchell took over. The move did not pay off at first. Also because two of the most important players, top newcomer Riley Damiani (out for the season after an upper body injury) and top scorer Cody Kunyk (injured since the beginning of December), were missing. Since the turn of the year, however, the form curve has been pointing upwards (three wins in five games).

Highlights: EHC Red Bull München vs. Augsburger Panther (23.11.2024)

// DEL - HIGHLIGHTS

Factors for the upswing: power play and Nick Baptiste

The Panthers improved above all in their own power play. The power play rate under Mitchell (26 percent) is more than twice as high as under his predecessor Dent (11 percent). Nick Baptiste has played a part in this. The former Cologne player with NHL experience moved to the AEV shortly before Christmas and hit the ground running: In ten appearances, he scored six goals - half of them on the power play. However, Baptiste is not the only Panther who has performed strongly of late. Among others, offensive defenseman Thomas Schemitsch and youngster Florian Elias have also started the new year well.

Panthers work on home weakness

At home in the Curt-Frenzel Stadium, the Panthers are not doing well this season. An average of just 1.18 points per game means they are bottom of the home table. Although the Panthers have won two of their last three games - including a 2:1 win on penalties against Frankfurt on Sunday - the Red Bulls will be looking to take advantage of the Panthers' weakness at home in Thursday's derby.

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The second home derby against the AEV in pictures

DEL record against Augsburg

Wins: 42 Losses: 23 Win percentage: 65 Prozent Goal difference: 213:157 Last game: RBM vs. AEV 3:2 Last ten games: W W W W W L L L L W Last ten away games: W L L W L W W W L N