Preview DEL, Matchday 40: EHC Red Bull München visit Grizzlys Wolfsburg

Saturday, 25. January 2025 | Preview DEL, Matchday 40: EHC Red Bull München visit Grizzlys Wolfsburg

From Berlin to Wolfsburg: Red Bulls challenged by the Grizzlies// DEL - PREVIEWThe second away game in a row takes the Red Bulls to the Grizzlys Wolfsburg on Sunday at 7:15 pm. You can watch the game live on free TV on DF1 as well as on MagentaSport, Sportdeutschland.TV and on our blog.

It was a special game in many respects on Thursday evening in Berlin. Because 641 days after his last stint as head coach of EHC Red Bull München, Don Jackson returned as the main coach of our team. And at the very place where the 68-year-old also left big shoes to fill.

"A bit like at home"

After Jackson was honored with a banner ceremony in the presence of his family immediately before the game for his services to the Eisbären, he took his place on the Munich bench again. The last time he did so - as head coach - was on April 23, 2023 in game five of the playoff final series against ERC Ingolstadt. The most successful coach in DEL history said goodbye back then with the Red Bulls' fourth championship title, and now the US-American started his comeback with a 3:2 away win after a penalty shootout in the capital.

"It's a great feeling," said Maxi Kastner about Jackson's return. And what did the coach give his boys in advance? "What he always gives us. We should play with confidence and simply. And we should do the right things," revealed our number 93. And that's exactly what our team did, working their way into the clash with the reigning champions and putting in a strong performance overall.

Highlights: Eisbären Berlin vs. EHC Red Bull München (23.01.2025)

// DEL - HIGHLIGHTS

Jackson himself was back in the thick of things after just a short time. "It felt a bit like being at home," said Jackson after the game, smiling about his familiar role behind the bench. "It was a great win for the boys - and for me," he said happily. As modest as ever, he also praised the entire Munich coaching staff.

Wolfsburg win in Mannheim

So now it's on to Wolfsburg and the next story is about to begin. Because on April 22, 2016, Jackson led our club to its first German championship with the Grizzlies.

The Lower Saxons are currently in 9th place and have been quite inconsistent of late. On Friday, head coach Mike Stewart's team won 4:3 after overtime at Adler Mannheim to celebrate their first away win of the calendar year.

Highlights: EHC Red Bull München vs. Grizzlys Wolfsburg (30.12.2024)

// DEL - HIGHLIGHTS

However, things are going much better at home. Since December 6 of last year, only Berlin and the Red Bulls have won 2:1 on penalties in Wolfsburg. In any case, we have won all three meetings with the Grizzlies this season.

New Grizzly at forward, interplay between the posts

New signing Jimmy Lambert could make his home debut for the Grizzlies against us; the 27-year-old was brought in from the ECHL a few days ago. In offense, we can still rely on the familiar names, Matt White (37 points) and Spencer Machacek (30) lead the internal scorer list. Luis Schinko is one of the best German scorers in the league with 13 goals, Darren Archibald is particularly dangerous in overtime.

Wolfsburg can rely on Hannibal Weitzmann and Dustin Strahlmeier in goal, with both goalies regularly alternating in recent games. Both were also used against Munich. However, the result was always the same, and it may stay that way on Sunday.