DEL final series
Ingolstadt relies on endurance: Best “in the last third”
The pros from ERC Ingolstadt also want to celebrate in game four of the DEL final series. photo
© Sven Hoppe/dpa
Equalization or match puck? The fourth final game for the German ice hockey championship between Ingolstadt and Munich could point the way for the course of the series.
In the final of the German ice hockey championship, ERC Ingolstadt sees itself at an advantage in terms of condition against EHC Red Bull Munich.
“We describe ourselves as the best team in the last third,” said Ingolstadt’s Wojciech Stachowiak before the fourth final game this Friday (7:30 p.m. / MagentaSport). “We worked hard for it,” said the 23-year-old. A strong start is therefore all the more important. Munich would then “be a bit tired at the end,” said Stachowiak.
In the third final game, the striker advanced to the match winner with two goals in the 4:3 comeback victory alongside goalkeeper Jonas Stettmer. The ERC thus reduced the lead to 1:2 in the best-of-seven series. Stachowiak has scored four playoff goals in his DEL career so far – all against EHC.
What looked like a one-sided affair after the 2-1 and 7-1 win for Munich in the first two games could still develop into an exciting final. The EHC wants to fight back in Ingolstadt, as defender Maximilian Daubner said. “We have to learn from this and be ready for the next duel,” commented Munich coach Don Jackson.