Gameplay
Mathias Niederberger in goal for the top team and Hunter Miska on the other side had a lot to do right at the start. The action-packed start with a lot of shots was followed by a pressure-packed phase from Straubing. However, the Red Bulls adapted better and better to the aggressive style of play of the hosts and had a great chance to take the lead through Justin Schütz a few seconds before the first period break, but Miska was on the spot when the Munich forward went in alone.
Exciting ice hockey also in the middle period. Taylor Leier used one of numerous opportunities to take the lead for Straubing (24.). The Red Bulls reacted with concentrated offense to the deficit and had two huge chances through Austin Ortega (26th) and Andreas Eder (29th), which, however, did not lead to an equalizer. The Tigers did better: Luke Adam scored the 2:0 (31.). But Munich had the perfect answer just 44 seconds later and reduced the score through Smith (31st). Coach Don Jackson's team then came very close to equalizing, but Straubing had another relief attack, which JC Lipon completed to make it 3:1 (37th).
The Tigers initially allowed little in the final period before the Red Bulls created chances after an increase in tempo. Among others, Frederik Tiffels (46th) and Eder (49th) tried, but Miska was the final stop. Time was running out for the leaders. When Jackson increased the risk and brought in the additional field player, Leier scored the 4:1 (58.) with an empty-net goal - and thus ensured the decision.