PENNY DEL: EHC Red Bull Munich receives Nürnberg Ice Tigers

Monday, 02. October 2023 | PENNY DEL: EHC Red Bull Munich receives Nürnberg Ice Tigers

Derbytime: Munich wants to go one better against Nuremberg"Have to play against Nuremberg the way we finished against Frankfurt".// DEL - PREVIEW48 hours after the 5:2 win against Frankfurt, EHC Red Bull München already has the next game at the Olympia-Eisstadion. On Tuesday (German Unity Day), we welcome the Nürnberg Ice Tigers for the first home derby of the season at 4:30 pm.

While Munich secured three points on Sunday, the Central Franconians came away empty-handed. Nuremberg lost 0:5 at the Eisbären Berlin and thus conceded the highest defeat of the current season so far. In general, things are not going well away from home, as the Ice Tigers also lost in Cologne (1:5) and Augsburg (3:5). The team is still waiting for its first point away from home.

At home, on the other hand, coach Tom Rowe's team picked up a full nine points from its first three games. Against Straubing (5:3), Düsseldorf (4:1) and Bremerhaven (3:0) they kept the upper hand. Our derby opponents are now in seventh place after the first six games.

Duel of the table neighbors

The Red Bulls are one place ahead thanks to their three-goal home win over Frankfurt last Sunday. After two even third periods, our boys turned on the winning track in the final period with three goals, including a double strike by Trevor Parkes and Nico Krämmer in just 51 seconds. In addition, our goalie Mathias Niederberger was on top form and thwarted some good opportunities of the Hessians with strong saves.

Highlights: Red Bull München vs. Löwen Frankfurt (01.10.2023)

// DEL - HIGHLIGHTS

"We have to play against Nuremberg the way we left off against Frankfurt in the final third," demands teammate Maximilian Kastner. That means: "Playing straightforward, simple and with a move to the goal."

Ben Smith out

Ben Smith will not be able to play. Our attacker must take a break due to an upper body injury. "It's always tough not to play and have to watch. But I'll be back in two to three weeks. The season is long, and that's why it's better to be cautious about injuries now at the beginning," Smith explained.

US import players in focus

The two top scorers Elis Hede (three goals, three assists) and Daniel Schmölz (two goals, three assists) are partly responsible for the Ice Tigers' dangerous power play. But also newcomer Evan Barrat was already successful in overtime. The U.S. American moved to Franconia from the Reading Royals (ECHL) in the summer together with forward partner and compatriot Charlie Gerard. Both forwards have already recorded four scoring points. Cole Maier, also from the USA, came from the Manitoba Moose in the AHL.

For the defense, Jack Dougherty (USA) was signed from the Cologne Sharks, and the Swede Ludwig Byström (most recently Oulun Kärpät) was also added. Constantin Braun, who defended for the Bietigheim Steelers the past two seasons, is a familiar face from the PENNY DEL.

Special teams a factor

Nuremberg has not only been a power at home so far, but also in overtime. Half of the Ice Tigers' 16 goals so far have been scored with at least one more player on the ice. A success rate of 32 percent is the top value in the league. And three of the four away goals were also scored by the power play formation. However, Red Bull München is already in second place in this statistic with a rate of 30.4 percent and seven goals.

The shorthanded play of our guests also works very well. Goalkeepers Niklas Treutle and Leon Hungerecker only had to make two saves when they were outnumbered. A 91.7 percent success rate means third place in the PENNY DEL. The Red Bulls are also aware of these strengths. "We know that their special teams are very good this year. But so are ours, we don't need to hide at all," Kastner makes clear.

Balance against Nuremberg

The last five derbies were always won by the visiting team. So there were only away victories in the direct duel last season. The Central Franconians prevailed 4:3 after penalty shootout and 4:2 at the Olympia-Eisstadion, the Red Bulls won 4:1 and 6:3 in Nuremberg. So it's time for this series to come to an end on Tuesday.

DEL record against Nuremberg

Wins: 30

Defeats: 22

Win ratio: 58 percent

Goal difference: 181:138

Last game: NIT vs. RBM 3:6

Last games: S S S N S S N S N S

Last ten home games: S S N S S S N N N