DEL preview matchday 44: EHC Red Bull München hosts Schwenninger Wild Wings

Wednesday, 12. February 2025 | DEL preview matchday 44: EHC Red Bull München hosts Schwenninger Wild Wings

Half a dozen in sight: Red Bulls want to extend their winning streak against Schwenningen Coach reunion in front of an impressive backdrop // DEL - PREVIEWAfter five wins in a row recently, EHC Red Bull München can complete the half-dozen with a home win against Schwenningen on Thursday (7:30 pm). It will also be a reunion between two coaches who know each other very well.

The SAP Garden is sold out for the 14th time this DEL season. If you missed out, you can watch the duel live on MagentaSport, Sportdeutschland.TV or on our blog.

Fans in the stadium can look forward to a number of competitions and promotions on DEL Sustainability Matchday. Among other things, you can use our club app to check your journey for ecological sustainability - and win an away trip of your choice for two people. You can find more information about the matchday here.

Best series in two years

The Red Bulls also want to win. The last time Munich had a longer winning streak in the DEL was at the end of the 2022/23 main season (eight wins back then). One of the reasons for the good points haul in recent weeks is the strong defensive work: only seven goals conceded in five games is outstanding. Goalkeeper Mathias Niederberger saved an impressive 94.1 percent of shots.

Top scorer in the DEL: DeSousa is on a roll

Another guarantee of success is Chris DeSousa. Our top scorer has scored at least once in each of the past five games (six goals in total). No other player in the league can currently boast such a scoring streak. DeSousa has also climbed to fourth place in the DEL scoring charts. On Thursday, our boys want to score the next three goals - and thus climb to third place in the table for the time being.

Highlights: EHC Red Bull München vs. Schwenninger Wild Wings (26.11.2024)

// DEL - HIGHLIGHTS

Jackson and Walker: reunion after a joint triumph

It will be a special game for the two coaches, as our coach Don Jackson meets Steve Walker for the first time in the DEL. Walker was Jackson's assistant coach at the Red Bulls between 2019 and 2023. The collaboration ended in the summer of 2023 when the team won the German championship. Walker then took up his first head coaching position in professional ice hockey in Schwenningen.

"Of course, I've followed his career and have seen Schwenningen play under him a few times. You can recognize his handwriting. He's doing a good job - there's no doubt in my mind about that. We have to think about a few things for the game," says Jackson about his long-time companion, adding with a grin: "We have a great relationship. But we won't talk until after the game."

Schwenningen hopes for second playoff appearance in a row

Walker led the Wild Wings to the playoff quarter-finals in his first season. In the current main round, the "Wild Swans" are in seventh place. Behind them lurk five teams within three points, with whom Schwenningen are fighting for a playoff spot. In order to prevail in this tight race, Walker's team will have to improve again. They have recently lost three games in a row - including defeats against basement dwellers Augsburg and Düsseldorf.

Senyshyn almost like DeSousa

It wasn't down to Zach Senyshyn. The right winger from Canada is in top form. The attacker has scored six goals in his last five appearances. With 24 goals this season, he is in second place in the DEL scoring charts - just ahead of our top scorer DeSousa. Together with center Kyle Platzer and Alexander Karachun, Senyshyn forms the Wild Wings' most productive line.

Schwenningen's offense continues to thrive on the creativity of Tylor and Tyson Spink this season. The 32-year-old identical twins have been with the Wild Wilngs for almost five years - and are still important. With 38 points, Tyson is the better scorer of the two brothers, who understand each other on the ice. They have played a big part in the Wild Wings having the third-best offense in the PENNY DEL with 121 goals scored so far.

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Our team's performance against the Wild Wings in pictures

Eriksson still important, but not as dominant

It's hardly noticeable that goalkeeper Joacim Eriksson is playing his statistically weakest DEL season to date (save percentage: 90.1 percent). In the four previous main rounds, the Swede was always one of the keepers with the best save percentage. This could also be due to the fact that Schwenningen have become much more offensive under Walker.

The team from the Black Forest proved just how dangerous and efficient they can be in their first and last clash with the Red Bulls this season. Duel number two was won by our boys, who want to draw level in the season standings with another win.

DEL record against Schwenninger Wild Wings

Wins: 30Losses: 17Winning percentage: 64 percentGoal difference: 152:115Last game: SWW vs. RBM 6:0Last ten games: S S N N N S S N S NThe last ten home games: S S S S S N N S S S S