After two wins in the semi-finals against champions Munich, Bremerhaven suffered a clear defeat. This brings back bad memories of last season.
The Fischtown Pinguins suffered their first defeat in the current play-offs of the German Ice Hockey League (DEL). After two wins against the reigning champions EHC Munich, main round winners Bremerhaven clearly lost 0:4 (0:1, 0:1, 0:2) on Friday evening, but still lead the best-of-seven series with 2:1. “We were the better team in the second 30 minutes,” said Pinguins coach Thomas Popiesch on MagentaTV after the game. “It wasn’t meant to be today.” His team made too many mistakes, especially in the first half hour.
The decisive reason was: We lost too many duels today.
(Penguins coach Thomas Popiesch after the game on MagentaTV)
The Penguins started well in game three. After just two minutes, Markus Vikingstad had the 1-0 on his bat. Instead, the Munich team scored. Konrad Abeltshauser took advantage of a blatantly bad pass from Fischtown goalie Kristers Gudlevskis to put the EHC in the lead for the first time in this semi-final series (7th minute). Afterwards there were chances on both sides – but without any tangible result.
Munich’s lead in the second third was deserved
The Munich team got into the second third much better than the hosts. After Bremerhaven’s careless loss of a target, two Munich players suddenly appeared in front of Gudlevskis, Maximilian Daubner crossed the ball and Trevor Parkes made it 2-0 (25′). Penguins coach Thomas Popiesch was visibly angry and responded with a timeout. But that had no effect, Munich remained the better team. “We have to work harder and we have to work smarter,” demanded Penguins top striker Jan Urbas during the third break on MagentaTV.
And things got harder – on both sides. There were always quibbles, with the guests in particular repeatedly landing heavy checks. After a collision, Penguins forward Skyler McKenzie was injured and was only able to limp off the ice with support. However, it remained poor in terms of play. The EHC took advantage of a numerical advantage to make it 3-0 through Maximilian Kastner (53′). Christopher Desousa’s 4-0 into the Penguins’ empty goal was then just a formality (58th).
As early as Sunday (5 p.m.) in Munich, the Penguins can restore the old gap in the series – or collect the equalizer. Last year, Bremerhaven fell to Munich in the quarter-finals despite leading 2-0. A team needs four wins to reach the final.
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Bremen Eins, news, April 5, 2024, 10 p.m
