DEL portrait: EHC Red Bull Munich's Mathias Niederberger in playoff form

Thursday, 07. December 2023 | DEL portrait: EHC Red Bull Munich's Mathias Niederberger in playoff form

"That's how I can read the game": Niederberger already in playoff form95.4 percent catch rate in the last three games// PORTRAITThe championship is decided in a final series and Mathias Niederberger always cheers in the end. This or something similar could be an ice hockey proverb. And the Red Bulls goalkeeper is shining again.

Over the past three match days, Niederberger saved an outstanding 86 out of 90 shots on goal (save percentage: 95.4 percent). Thanks to strong team performances and our great support, we picked up the full nine points in the games against Mannheim, Bremerhaven and in Frankfurt.

Mathias Niederberger präsentiert sich schon in Playoff-Form

// INTERVIEW

Parades with style: How Niederberger unnerved the Adler

It was the 32nd minute of the home game against Mannheim. The visitors were pushing for the final goal, but they had done the math without Niederberger. He was first on hand with his chest and then in the splits. When he appeared to be beaten without a stick, he let his stick hand dart up. The Eagles were amazed and shook their heads in disbelief, while our fans celebrated the goalkeeper.

Fast legs as a "specialty"

Anticipation, responsiveness and, above all, speed: the 31-year-old showed a lot of his qualities in this scene. His speed is obvious. Even ice hockey laymen would recognize that Niederberger moves faster than other DEL goalkeepers. This is no coincidence. "I'm forced to be fast because I'm not the biggest goalkeeper. That's why I've always worked very hard on my skating skills," says Niederberger, who is "only" 1.81 meters tall.

The Düsseldorf native already laid the foundation in his youth: "I was lucky to have a great goalkeeping coach as a child in Andreas Niemitz. It was incredibly important to him that we skated a lot. That's my hobby now. It allows me to slow the game down for myself."

Highlights: Red Bull München vs. Adler Mannheim (26.11.2023)

// DEL - HIGHLIGHTS

"Getting to the destination early"

Niederberger is now benefiting from this. "The skating ability allows me to get to the goal early. Then I have time to think, make decisions and read the game," explains the two-time DEL Goalkeeper of the Year. And when the goalie is in the right position, he is almost impossible to beat. He has shown this with his save percentage in the last three games. In the past eleven games, his save percentage is no less impressive than 94.0 percent.

Among the best goalkeepers in DEL history

"The save percentage is the goalkeeper statistic that probably says the most. As a goalkeeper, you look at it with one eye," says Niederberger. But he doesn't want to hang these figures too high: "But it's particularly meaningful over a longer period of time. Not over five games, but over 50, 100 or even an entire career." He has absolutely nothing to hide. With 92.1 percent in 386 games, he is one of the best goalkeepers in DEL history.

Of his current colleagues, only Joacim Eriksson (Schwenningen) and Henrik Haukeland (Düsseldorf) are slightly better. What Niederberger has over the two. He has already been German champion - three times in a row: twice with the Eisbären Berlin, before winning the title with the Red Bulls last season.

Welcome to Koni Abeltshauser: Private Einblicke ins Leben unserer #16

// INTERVIEW

Follow up against Wolfsburg on Friday

This season was initially about finding yourself. "The three recent wins have lifted our spirits," says Niederberger. But he is absolutely convinced of his team: "We get on well. We have a lot of good characters. That's the beauty of this team." The Red Bulls are back in action on Friday. In the home game against the Grizzlys Wolfsburg (7:30 pm | LIVE in our blog or with a ticket in the stadium), Niederberger and his teammates want to shine again - and record their fourth win in a row.