26.02.2012: EHC Munich - Krefeld Pinguine 1:3

DEL

Olympic Ice Rink, Munich (Germany)

(Pentax K-5 with Tamron SP AF 17-50mm 2.8 XR Di II LD Asp IF and Sigma AF 50-150mm 2.8 EX DC APO HSM II)

Long time the party train of the Krefeld Pinguine was prepared and on 26.02. in started during nighttime towards Munich. Additionally one group went down by bus and many privately by car, so that a really impressive picture was shown at the Munich ice rink. Of the 3909 visitors roughly 500 were from Krefeld and showed that loudly already before the game had started. The game itself could bring another preliminary decision to the hard fight about the last pre-playoff tickets. So it was not surprising that Munich directly from the start put high pressure onto the Krefeld team. Anyhow it were the Pinguine who could cheer already in minute 6 for the first time. Pascal Trepanier used a power play of the Pinguine to score the 1:0. But the EHC was not very impressed by that and continously made attack after attack against the Krefeld goal that could be defeated by the well playing Krefeld defense. Even a 5:3 power play of Munich could change something on the score but it was Scotty Langkow playing at peak form who defeated several very good chances to score. Krefeld despite that came only rarely in front of the goal kept by Sebastian Elwing and so both teams went with 1:0 into the first break. Unfortunately the Pinguine had to continue without Richard Pavlikowski who got injured on his hand whilst blocking a shot.
The second period started quite fuzzy. First, Daniel Pietta was not able to get the puck into the empty net whilst playing short and vice versa the Pinguine were really lucky when the post saved them from equalizing the score. The game was getting more open and the number of chances on both sides increased. But not only on the ice it was getting more lively, also on the tribunes the mood was getting better each minute and so finally the game was getting minor matter. It was really making goose bumps to me when both fan groups intonated their chants vice versa, la-ola went along the stadium and finally tried to sing an echo. That's how I like hockey games to be! Towards the end of the second period Boris Blank had another chance in increasing the lead but it remained 1:0 and so both teams again went towards the cabins.
The start of the last period delayed due to a hole in the ice but the ice keeper fastly had everything under control. Everything under control also Scot Langkow had who saved twice in extreme danger at the beginning of the last period. On the opposite side Daniel Pietta during power play was able to use another big chance to increase the result to 2:0. The joy about this was not for a long time as only 30 seconds later the puck went across the line also on the other side. Eric Schneider brought hope back to the home team and from then on it was an open fight. It went up and down but the better chances were on the Munich team. But the well acting Krefeld defense was able to protect the goal and was released in minute 58. Francois Methot picked up the puck in the center area and went through the whole team of Munich before he passed the puck along the goalie neatly whilst falling. A wonderful solo enthusing the fans from Krefeld to peak form. Finally the game was crowned by the Möpse being intonated by Ömmes.
A great game, even better vibes on both sides of the arena, so is there anything you could want more? The pre playoff rank could be reached by this victory and now it is up to the Pinguine during the last remaining games to defend it. The fans had a long way back in front of them but it was very athmospheric. Especiall as the team joined them on the party train to Krefeld.

Score:

EHC Munich - Krefeld Pinguine 1:3 (0:1 / 0:0 / 1:2)

6. / 0:1 / Pascal Trepanier

46. / 2:0 / Daniel Pietta

47. / 1:2 / Eric Schneider

58. / 1:3 / Francois Methot

Weblinks:

	EHC Munich Homepage of the German icehockey team EHC Munich.
	Krefeld Pinguine Homepage of the German icehockey team Krefeld Pinguine.
	Deutsche Eishockey Liga Homepage of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga.
	Olympic Ice Rink Munich Homepage of the Olympic Ice Rink at Munich (Germany).