The semi-finals in the German Ice Hockey League (DEL) are entering the home straight. Munich and Ingolstadt are only separated by a win from a Bavarian duel for the title.
On Saturday (April 8th, 2023), Munich beat the Wolfsburg Grizzlys 3-2 (2-1, 0-0, 0-1, 1-0) after extra time in game five, making it the best-of in the series -seven is now 3:2 for the top favorite for the championship.
Chris DeSousa (1st minute) and Austin Ortega (5th) provided the early Munich double strike, but Laurin Braun (6th) immediately ensured that the game remained exciting. However, Munich were the better team and ended up taking 15 shots on Dustin Strahlmeier’s goal, while Mathias Niederberger only had to save seven shots.
Wolfsburg equalizes in the final third
In the second period, the guests from Lower Saxony were the more active team and recorded more deals than in the first third. Munich also had some good actions, but in the meantime came under a lot of pressure.
Wolfsburg then missed the equalizer several times and failed either to Munich goalkeeper Mathias Niederberger or the crossbar. The guests were only rewarded in the final round: Outnumbered, Spencer Machacek pushed the puck over the line to make it 2-2 (50′). Patrick Hager scored the much-celebrated 3-2 winner in the extra season (64′). The sixth match takes place on Monday at 3.15 p.m. in Wolfsburg.
Ingolstadt keeps Mannheim in check
In the duel with the Adler Mannheim, ERC Ingolstadt retained the upper hand in game five with 4:1 (1:0, 1:1, 2:0) and also leads the series with 3:2. Ty Ronning put the hosts ahead in the first minute. The equalization of the guests shortly before the end of the second period by Taro Jentzsch (39th) was answered by Tye McGinn immediately before the half-time siren with the 2:1 (40th).
When Mannheim put everything on one card in the closing stages and took their keeper out of the goal, Ingolstadt struck twice more through Stefan Matteau (59′) and EnricoHenriquez-Morales (60′).
The decision can now be made in both best-of-seven series on Easter Monday. Wolfsburg first receives Munich (3:15 p.m.). A little later, Ingolstadt is a guest in Mannheim (4.30 p.m.).
