DEL Preview: EHC Red Bull München hosts Adler Mannheim in the SAP Garden

Monday, 28. October 2024 | DEL Preview: EHC Red Bull München hosts Adler Mannheim in the SAP Garden

“We want to continue playing passionately": Red Bulls face Mannheim at home// PREVIEWAfter their convincing derby victory over Ingolstadt, EHC Red Bull Munich will be looking to build on this at home on Tuesday evening (7:30 p.m.). The next top-tier opponent, Adler Mannheim, will be coming to the SAP Garden.

4:0 against the Nürnberg Ice Tigers and 5:1 against ERC Ingolstadt: our Red Bulls have won their last two home games in the SAP Garden, earning three points in each game. And it wasn't just the results that were impressive, but also the performances.

Highlights: EHC Red Bull München vs. ERC Ingolstadt (27.10.2024)

Particularly noteworthy was the clear triumph in the derby against second-placed Oberbayern on Sunday. Munich was not even impressed by Ingolstadt's lead after the first period; in fact, our guys took command in every respect from the second period onwards. The visitors had nothing left to offer.

“Defended with heart”

Head coach Max Kaltenhauser was understandably pleased with his team's performance. “Ingolstadt were a strong opponent in terms of skating. But we did the things we set out to do well. I'm happy that the guys were rewarded for a great performance,” said the 43-year-old after the game.

It is worth noting that the Red Bulls, with goalkeeper Mathias Niederberger, have only conceded a single goal on five-on-five situations in the last three games. “We defended well and with a lot of heart again,” said Kaltenhauser. The team hopes to build on their solid defense and claim their next victory against Mannheim in the rescheduled game of the third match day of the DEL.

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Get your tickets now for the top game against Mannheim

Pressekonferenz: EHC Red Bull München vs. ERC Ingolstadt (27.10.2024)

DEB duo Kälble and Fohrler back in the Adler nest

However, our opponents are also standing firm in their own zone, even though they recently lost the derby against Frankfurt 0:2. The team of Head Coach Dallas Eakins has only conceded 31 goals, only Bremerhaven is even more stable (23). Long-standing performers such as Korbinian Holzer and Dennis Reul were not offered new contracts, with both of them replaced by two high-caliber players.

The two German national team players Lukas Kälble (new from Bremerhaven) and Tobias Fohrler (Ambri-Piotta), who previously played for the Jungadler in the Adler junior program, returned to the city of squares. They were joined by the physical Nick Cicek from the AHL (Abbotsford Canucks), However, the defense is vulnerable when short-handed. With a rate of 73.7 percent, Mannheim is currently at the bottom of the league in this regard.

Another Jungadler back in Mannheim

But there is another reason why the Adler are currently “only” in sixth place. With 37 goals scored, the team from And that without another well-known name, because David Wolf was also let go in the summer. In return, Marc Michaelis, who previously played for EV Zug, returned as a third German international and another native of Mannheim. But even the new captain has not yet been able to get the offense going properly with just five points so far.

The German-Czech Kristian Reichel scored 23 goals in the AHL for the Manitoba Moose in the previous season, but has only managed one goal in the PENNY DEL so far. Only one new import forward, Luke Esposito (eight points, last from Augsburg), has joined the team. Mathias Plachta, on the other hand, is continuing to make progress, and is once again at the top of the internal scoring list with six goals and six assists.

“They are an absolutely top team in the league. But the same approach applies for us as against Ingolstadt. We want to play passionately and defend our goal,” said Kaltenhauser with Tuesday's game in mind.

In the last ten duels between the two heavyweights, the home team won each time. In the last ten duels between the two heavyweights, the home team won each time. This is welcome to continue.