Penguins gift their fans with a victory in Munich’s SAP Garden

The Bremerhaven team achieved a 2-1 victory after a penalty shootout at the premiere in the new showpiece of the German Ice Hockey League, the SAP Garden, and then celebrated in front of the red and white wall in the hall oval. The match winner was newcomer Cedric Schiemenz, who scored the victory in his first third appearance in front of the Bremerhaven wall.

To the delight of the fans who traveled with us, who had plenty of time to celebrate the victory on the long return journey in the special train. Already in 2023, on the last train tour to Mannheim, the Pinguins had successfully sent their supporters on their journey home.

Big praise from coach Sulzer to the Penguins fans

“It was a very good, high-intensity ice hockey game. “We had a bit of difficulty getting into the game, but then we fought well and deserved to win in the end,” explained coach Alexander Sulzer. “And the show the fans put on today was overwhelming. The passion and fan loyalty is almost unique.”

Before the game there was a tribute to Maximilian Kastner. With his 514th DEL appearance for EHC Red Bull Munich, the striker drew level with Munich club legend Daryl Boyle against the Pinguins. However, the hosts had to do without another important player. Surprisingly, goalkeeper Mathias Niederberger (lower body) was not in the squad; instead, 20-year-old Simon Wolf moved between the goal posts.

However, the Penguins were initially unable to take advantage of this. They simply didn’t get enough pressure on the classic case. The defenders cleared well in front of the box. In addition, the Red Bulls were clearly the team dominating the game at the beginning and goalkeeper Maximilian Franzreb had to save Nico Krämmer (4th) and Taro Hirose (8th) in desperate need.

The party was initially characterized primarily by many intense duels in the neutral zone. In the second period, the Penguins managed to create a slight increase in chances – and took the lead. EHC keeper Wolf couldn’t hold on to a shot from Ziga Jeglic, captain Jan Urbas reacted quickest and pushed the puck over the line to make it 1-0 (34th).

The mood of the red and white wall explodes

The Bremerhaven team exploded the red and white wall in the sold-out SAP Garden. The fans who traveled along supported the team loudly and could be heard throughout.

The recipe for success was clear before the final period: hit the young Munich goalkeeper in goal with shots, wait for rebounds and use them. The 20-year-old made a good impression, but couldn’t always lock down the puck.

However, the penguins shouldn’t have to do that at all. First they had to sharpen two outnumbered situations, but the Munich team seized the momentum. The defensive bulwark initially withstood the pressure, but the Bremerhaven team hardly had any offensive activity due to the great pressure from the Red Bulls.

The Penguins became far too passive – and that would take revenge with 361 seconds left. Taro Hirose was shot by his own man in front of the goal, but was then able to quickly push the puck into the goal to make it 1-1.

New signing Schiemenz scores in the penalty shootout

This means that the spectators were offered an additional bonus. But extra time didn’t bring a win either, so the game went to penalties. In this one, Jeglic initially failed at the post before new signing Cedric Schiemenz closed the sack – and the fans’ party began.

“I’m just happy that it went in,” explained the winning goalscorer and added: “It felt like a home game. The men and women rioting in the stands are simply incredible. I’m really happy that I get to play here. It’s a lot of fun.”

.Munich – Penguins 1:2 (0:0, 0:1, 1:0, 0:0, 0:1) n.P.

Goals: 0:1 (33:51) Urbas (Jeglic, Bruggisser), 1:1 (53:59) Hirose (Blum, Rieder), 1:2 (65:00) Schiemenz (penalty).