Defending champions Munich and the Straubing Tigers started the quarter-final series of the DEL playoffs with victories. Munich won a clear 6:3 (2:0, 3:2, 1:1) in Wolfsburg. The Straubing Tigers won game one of their “best-of-seven” series on Saturday (March 16, 2024) with 5:2 (0:0, 3:1, 2:1) against Schwenningen.
Munich quickly took the lead in the away opener at the Grizzlys Wolfsburg with a brace from Patrick Hager (9th) and Chris DeSousa (12th). What looked like a clear affair after the first third became even more exciting in the second half. Chris Wilkie (27th) and Luis Schinko (30th) equalized the deficit just as quickly as it arose.
Playoff quarterfinals arrow right
But Master Munich’s answer came quickly. With a brace in just 60 seconds, the guests pulled away to 4-2 shortly after falling behind thanks to goals from DeSousa (30th) and Nico Krämmer (31st) in a crazy phase of the game. Trevor Parkes (37th) increased the score to 5:2 before the second half-time siren.
In the final third, Wolfsburg threw everything forward. Ryan O’Connor (51′) reduced the score to 3:5 in the final phase. But Munich confidently played down the game and made it 6-3 with an “Empty Net” goal from Konrad Albertshauser (60th) in the final seconds.
Straubing pulls away in four minutes
After a goalless first third, Straubing turned things up in the second half of their home game against the Schwenningen Wild Wings. Within just four minutes, JC Lipon (27th), Nicolas Mattinen (30th) and again Lipon (31st) made it 3-0 for the third-place team from Straubing.
But Schwenningen got back into the game and came within one goal again with goals from Chris Brown (35th) at the end of the second half and Alexander Karachun (44th) at the beginning of the final third.
“Empty Net” and beating scenes
However, Straubing did not let himself be disturbed. Justin Braun (53rd) made it 4:2 in the final phase. Mark Zengerle (59th) made it 5-2 with a hit into the empty goal. The game got tougher in the last few minutes.
The referee team handed out a total of nine penalties after tough games and fights. Game two of the series takes place on Tuesday (7 p.m.) in Schwenningen. Munich also welcomes Wolfsburg at home on Tuesday (7:30 p.m.).
