Playoff quarter-final: EHC Red Bull München wins game one against Wolfsburg

Saturday, 16. March 2024 | Playoff quarter-final: EHC Red Bull München wins game one against Wolfsburg

Victory in Wolfsburg: Red Bulls make a successful start to the play-off quarter-finalsWOB - RBM 3:6 | Hager: "A great start"// DEL - GAME REPORTEHC Red Bull München started the playoff quarter-finals with a 6:3 win (2:0|3:2|1:1) at the Grizzlys Wolfsburg.

In front of 3,734 spectators, Patrick Hager, Chris DeSousa (2), Nico Krämmer, Trevor Parkes and Konrad Abeltshauser scored for coach Toni Söderholm's team. The German champions thus lead the best-of-seven series 1:0. Game 2 will take place next Tuesday (March 19 | 7:30 p.m.) at the Olympic Ice Stadium.

Highlights: Grizzlys Wolfsburg vs. EHC Red Bull München (16.03.2024)

// PLAYOFFS

Course of the game

The Red Bulls were clearly superior in the first period - despite being shorthanded for a total of six minutes. The champions did not allow the Grizzlies to make any notable shots in the first two power play situations and went into forward gear with five skaters. The reward was the lead thanks to a mentality goal from Hager, who was already on the ice but still managed to get the puck over the line (9th). The action continued after that. Both teams played hard, but Munich continued to have the better chances - even when short-handed. DeSousa converted one of them to make it 2:0 (12'). Because Dustin Strahlmeier in the Grizzlies goal saved further good chances, no further goals were scored before the first break.

Spectacle was the order of the day in the middle period. Munich came out of the locker room well before the Grizzlies found their rhythm and came back with goals from Chris Wilkie (27th) and Luis Schinko (30th). The game threatened to tip over - but Munich had the perfect answer: shortly after equalizing, two-goal player DeSousa put the visitors back in front. Krämmer even made it 4:2 just 39 seconds later (31'). The Red Bulls were now back on top and were successful once again before the second break: Parkes gave them a three-goal lead after 40 minutes with his cool powerplay goal.

Wolfsburg attacked resolutely in the final period, but Munich defended consistently and remained dangerous. DEL Junior of the Year Veit Oswald had one of the best chances, but Strahlmeier stopped the spectacular solo with his pad (45'). At the other end, Ryan O'Connor gave the hosts hope once again with his goal out of nothing (51'). However, the Red Bulls defended their lead with aplomb. When Grizzlys coach Mike Stewart brought on a sixth outfield player, Abeltshauser finally sealed the deal with an empty-net goal to make it 6:3 (60').

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The first quarter-final at the Grizzlies in pictures

Patrick Hager: "It was a great start. We played very focused and confidently for 60 minutes. We probably won't see as many goals as today in the next few games, because the longer a series goes on, the closer the games get."

Goals: 0:1 | 08:44 | Patrick Hager 0:2 | 11:24 | Chris DeSousa 1:2 | 26:32 | Chris Wilkie 2:2 | 29:03 | Luis Schinko 2:3 | 29:24 | Chris DeSousa 2:4 | 30:03 | Nico Krämmer 2:5 | 36:40 | Trevor Parkes 3:5 | 50:52 | Ryan O'Connor 3:6 | 59:39 | Konrad Abeltshauser

Spectators: 3.734