Munich (dpa / lby) - EHC Red Bull Munich needs a small ice hockey miracle after a "embarrassing" appearance in the Champions League at times to keep the dream of the first title in the premier class alive. "I'm a little ashamed of our response to being behind in the first third. They invaded our zone and none of our players did anything about it," said EHC coach Don Jackson after the bitter 5-1 draw in the round of 16 first leg against the top Swiss club EV Zug. The Munich Champions League finalist from 2019 was already behind 0: 3 after 14 minutes.
The leaders of the German Ice Hockey League experienced an evening to forget on Tuesday. The team of national goalkeeper Mathias Niederberger, who had declared the title as a clear goal this season, let their opponent pull away with practically no resistance. Instead of a Munich comeback, 4283 spectators saw how the Swiss continued their assault in the second third and advanced to 5:0. Filip Varejcka's consolation goal was nothing more than a correction of the score. "We won't give up but try to turn the result around," said the hopeful striker.
The final will take place on February 18 - probably without German participation, because Straubing is on the verge of being eliminated after a 0:4 loss in Gothenburg, as is the Grizzly Wolfsburg after the at least narrow 2:3 against Luleå HF (Sweden). "We have to fight back. We just have to be better," Jackson demanded of his Munich team. The EHC round of 16 second leg is next Wednesday, Wolfsburg and Straubing are already challenged on Tuesday.
