Derby time for Munich

MUNICH – GERMANY: The last games and the last week were a mixture for the EHC Munich and its fans. First, there was nearly a revolution in the fan base. The discontent was against the new Corporate Identity and with this, the big gap between team officials and the fans. The fans were against the new jerseys, fan apparel and posters. And after a petition for new jerseys, designed from fans for fans, the club owners fired the Operation Manager Thomas Kriner, designed and ordered new jerseys and planed a meeting with fans to speak about the problems. But till the redesigned jerseys, the team has to play with the shabby dark-blue-black speckled jerseys. And on this weekend against two teams from the near neighborhood. Just one team is nearer than Straubing and Augsburg, so these two games are really derbies. On Friday, the Straubing Tigers came to visit the Bavarian capital. It was a game, which showed the actual problems of the EHC team. After a dominating first period, in which Christian Wichert scored after 6 minutes, the home team shifted down 2 or more gears. And, as often happens this season, the opponent scored a goal on the power play. And the EHC wasn’t able to score more than one goal even on 45 shoots on the goal! With this lack of success, it was clear that the game went to the shootout. And readers from last season and people who are in ice hockey statistics will remember: “Oh, there was something…” Yes, last season, the game between Munich and Straubing went to the penalty, too. And it took the epic number of 42 rounds until Eric Meloche scored his penalty and still-Munich-player Stephane Julien missed his. But this time, Straubing had no Meloche on its team and the others did not so well. So Munich won after just 3 penalties, but lost 1 point to Straubing. With this win, the EHC Munich travelled just 70 km (43 miles) to the hate-duel with the Augsburg Panthers. Last year, Munich won 3 out of 4 and this season the balance can’t get better. Munich started well with a big chance after just a few seconds but again, they weren’t able to score. And as often, they took a few unnecessary penalties. And with that, they found themselves in a two-man-shorthanded situation. But first, they weren’t really shocked and Bryan Addams had two big chances to score in the shorthanded situation. But just two seconds before the first penalty ran out, Mario Trabucco fired from the blue line and scored for the home team. As the game progressed, Augsburg was the dominant team and Munich seemed more and more frustrated and demotivated. Sergio Somma netted the second goal for the Panthers. Goalie Jochen Reimer was displeased about his team, because shortly before another penalty for Munich was over, and two Augsburg players stand without any defenseman in front of Reimers goal. The game ended with a 2-0 shutout for Tyler Weiman and the Munich fans were very upset with their team. Next Friday, the Krefeld Penguins come to Munich; the first game won the EHC with 5-3 in Krefeld. The fans hope that the team will now find its strength back, after a very troubled week. Contact Robin.Hilger@prohockeynews.com