DEL: Red Bull München welcomes Pinguins Bremerhaven to SAP Garden

Wednesday, 08. January 2025 | DEL: Red Bull München welcomes Pinguins Bremerhaven to SAP Garden

Top game in front of a big crowd: Red Bulls welcome Bremerhaven to SAP Garden for the first time // DEL - PREVIEWOn Friday evening at 7.30 pm, EHC Red Bull München will host the third-placed Pinguins Bremerhaven. After four home wins in a row recently, we want to score the next three against the defensively strong North Germans.

The game ist sold out. Against Bremerhaven, coach Max Kaltenhauser and his team want to build on the home success of recent weeks. Captain Patrick Hager returned to the lineup last Monday in the 5:4 win against Löwen Frankfurt after a short injury break.

Record for our 93: Kastner's special evening

During his absence, Hager was replaced by Maximilian Kastner. The fact that Kastner has now had to give up the "C" again does not change his status. The 32-year-old is an absolute leading player - and as of Friday will be the Red Bulls' record player in the German Ice Hockey League. Born in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, he will play his 514th DEL game for Munich. Our number 93 will thus draw level with the leader Daryl Boyle.

Kastner and his colleagues want to round off this special evening with three points against Bremerhaven. After two encounters on the North Sea coast, the teams are tied for the season. Munich first won 5:4 on penalties in Kaltenhauser's head coaching debut, before Bremerhaven returned the favor with a 4:0 victory.

Bremerhaven's showpiece: the defense

The Penguins were not only strong in the duels with us. This season, the runners-up are impressively proving that winning the first round and reaching the play-off final last season was no coincidence. Even the change of coach - Alexander Sulzer took over from Thomas Popiesch - did not slow the Northmen down.

Sulzer succeeded in further improving the already strong defense. The result is a bulwark that is almost impossible for opponents to crack. In numbers: Bremerhaven is the only team in the league to concede fewer than two goals per game. That is a house number.

Highlights: Pinguins Bremerhaven vs. EHC Red Bull München (13.10.2024)

Luxury problem in goal

Sulzer has a luxury problem in goal: with Kristers Gudlevskis, reigning PENNY DEL Goalkeeper of the Year, and Maximilian Franzreb, the squad has two top players. The goalkeepers benefit from the uncompromising defensive work of the players in front of them. Among others, the tough, 102-kilogram Dane Nicholas B. Jensen cleans up. His compatriot Phillip Bruggisser is also one of the most powerful and dangerous defenders in the DEL this season.

Karawanken Express delivers

Bruggisser is second in the internal scorer list behind Ziga Jeglic - ahead of Jan Urbas, who is known as the "King of Fischtown" in the port city. Urbas shines with his hard-hitting direct shot from the right wing. The Penguins also have the best powerplay in the league thanks to their veteran. The Slovenian trio is completed by Miha Verlic. Together they are the "Karawanken Express", which our boys will have to keep a close eye on next Friday.

DEL record against Bremerhaven

Wins: 32 Defeats: 20 Win percentage: 62 Prozent Goal difference: 161:115 Last game: BHV vs. RBM 4:0 Last ten games: W L W L L W L L W L Last ten home games: W L W L W W W W L L