Fischtown achieves something historic
Masters Munich despair of the surprise team
April 9, 2024, 10:00 p.m
The Fischtown Pinguins from Bremerhaven reach the playoff final of the German Ice Hockey League for the first time in the club’s history. The surprise team wins the fifth duel against defending champions EHC Red Bull Munich and surprisingly dominates the series.
The Fischtown Pinguins Bremerhaven eliminated defending champions Red Bull Munich and reached the finals of the German Ice Hockey League (DEL) for the first time. The surprise main round winner won the fifth game in the play-off semi-finals against the champions 3-0 (0-0, 1-0, 2-0) and thus decided the competitive best-of-seven series 4-1 for themselves. Jan Urbas (32nd) and Phillip Bruggisser (51st/59th) shot the Pinguins into the final in the highly intense game. The Eisbären Berlin or the Straubing Tigers are waiting there; the capital city team leads the series 3-1 before the fifth duel on Thursday (7.30 p.m./MagentaSport).
“We deserve it,” said Urbas on the MagentaSport microphone, “we played a great series. Everyone gave it their all. Now we’ll get it.” Manager Alfred Prey could hardly believe it: “I don’t know how to put it into words. This city breathes and lives ice hockey. It’s going to be an amazing final series.”
Both teams continued their physical and fast-paced game from the last four duels. There were initially no big chances; the Munich team defended Bremerhaven’s feared power play much better than before. The EHC survived a four-minute outnumbered period unscathed before Urbas gave coach Thomas Popiesch’s team the lead a little later.
The Red Bulls risked more in the final third, but they also incurred two avoidable penalties. The Penguins took advantage of their double majority in an ice-cold manner: Bruggisser’s long-range shot hit at a right angle. The guests reared up again, but Markus Eisenschmid only hit the post in the majority (58th). Almost in return, Bruggisser shot into the empty goal to make the decision.
Munich was eliminated in the semi-finals for the first time. There will no longer be another home game for former national coach Toni Söderholm’s team in the venerable Munich Olympic ice stadium. The ice will be thawed at the end of the month. The final series begins on April 17th. Bremerhaven enjoys home advantage as main round winners in the first, third and possible fifth and seventh games.