Grand Opening: Red Bull München & Buffalo Sabres provide an ice hockey festival

Friday, 27. September 2024 | Grand Opening: Red Bull München & Buffalo Sabres provide an ice hockey festival

Historic SAP Garden Opening: Red Bulls celebrate despite defeat against NHL team Buffalo SabresRBM – BUF 0:5 | Winkler: “Today everyone goes home with a smile”// GAME REPORTOn Friday, EHC Red Bull München officially inaugurated its new home ground. The Red Bulls opened the SAP Garden with a historic game against the Buffalo Sabres, which ended 0:5 (0:2|0:2|0:1) in favor of the NHL team.

The match was the sporting highlight of an opening that was packed with attractions. The 10,796 spectators in the sold-out multifunctional sports arena included Joachim Herrmann (Bavarian State Minister of the Interior, for Sport and Integration) and Dieter Reiter (Lord Mayor of the City of Munich).

After some show acts in the run-up to the match, which is part of the "2024 NHL Global Series Challenge Germany presented by Fastenal", the new home of the four-time ice hockey champions was first inaugurated with a symbolic honorary bullseye - performed by DEL record-breaking coach Don Jackson and Armond "Mondo" Duplantis (Olympic pole vault champion and world record holder). The puck was presented to the two exceptional players from the hands of top German Formula 3 talent Tim Tramnitz, who is part of the Red Bull Junior Team.

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The grand opening of the SAP Garden against Buffalo in pictures – Part 1

Course of the game

At 8:30 p.m., everything was in place for a historic evening and the game that Munich ice hockey had been eagerly awaiting could begin. Buffalo showed its class early on, but the Red Bulls survived the NHL club's initial offensive - also thanks to goalkeeper Mathias Niederberger, who shone against Jordan Greenway (6th). At the other end, a shot from Tobias Rieder just missed the post (7). And so it was Sabres forward Sam Lafferty who scored the first goal at the SAP Garden. It was somewhat fortunate, as his pass through the slot was deflected unstoppably for Niederberger (8'). The team from the USA then created more chances. Tage Thompson took advantage of one of the opportunities to make it 0:2 (16'). It stayed that way until the first break.

The middle period began with a good chance from Adam Brooks in Munich's superior numbers (21). The visitors then stepped up the pace. This resulted in several top chances, including a finish from JJ Peterka (25') and a goal at the post from Ryan McLeod (27'). However, the Red Bulls initially withstood the pressure - until the 34th minute, when Dylan Cozens successfully kept his stick in at the second post in the power play (34'). Even before the second break, Jack Quinn converted a solo effort to make it 0:4 (38').

Munich coach Toni Söderholm changed the goalkeeper for the final period: Simon Wolf now stood between the posts for Niederberger. The youngster made several good saves, but he was powerless against Peterka's well-placed shot (44'). On the other side, the Red Bulls continued to try their luck in offense after the 0:5, but failed to score against the concentrated Sabres defense.

After the game, the so-called "Three Stars of the Game" were awarded, as is customary in the NHL. Thompson, Niederberger and Peterka received the awards for the three best players of the encounter.

In addition to high-ranking politicians Herrmann and Reiter and the bully team of Jackson, Duplantis and Tramnitz, the prominent guests at the historic SAP Garden Grand Opening also included well-known figures from the world of sport such as Thomas Müller (soccer world champion from FC Bayern Munich), Uli Hoeneß (Honorary President of FC Bayern Munich), Herbert Hainer (President of FC Bayern Munich) and Lothar Matthäus (record-breaking national soccer player).

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The grand opening of the SAP Garden against Buffalo in pictures – Part 2

Christian Winkler: "We imagined the Grand Opening would be wonderful and that's exactly how it turned out. Seeing the hall full - pure goosebumps! Everyone is going home with a smile today. We want to experience many festive days here."

Toni Söderholm: "We've waited a long time for this day. Two great teams with good characters met today. It was a very nice experience."

Goals: 0:1 | 07:46 | Sam Lafferty 0:2 | 15:14 | Tage Thompson 0:3 | 33:41 | Dylan Cozens 0:4 | 37:29 | Jack Quinn 0:5 | 43:48 | JJ Peterka

Attendance: 10,796 (sold out)