Gameplay
What a turbulent start: First power play for the pressing Red Bulls, then 0:1 by Parker Tuomie, who was served practically from the penalty box by Michael Connolly (4.). The Munich team remained undaunted and came close to equalizing when Maksymilian Szuber scored on the crossbar (20.). But all in all, Straubing had the clearer chances, especially towards the end of the third. Attractive, fast field hockey, even if no more goals were scored. With 0:1 it went into the first break.
The middle period was less than two minutes old when Tim Brunnhuber increased the lead to 2:0 for the visitors. The Red Bulls found a quick answer: In the 23rd minute Varejcka reduced the score to 1:2. Now both goalkeepers had several opportunities to shine. Tigers and Red Bulls played a gripping match at the highest level, in which first Straubing put the score at 3:1 through Tuomie's second goal (30.). But Munich struck back twice: first the 2:3 by Smith (34th), then the equalizer by Schütz (35th). 3:3 after 40 minutes of an intense derby.
And it continued to be intense in the final period: Munich with five minutes of power play, the Tigers allowed little. Then 4-on-4 and the first lead for the Red Bulls through Eder (51st). But Straubing also fought back, Jason Akeson (57th) scored on the power play to make it 4:4. Overtime! But the decision was only made in the penalty shootout by Ortega's goal.