CHL - Mixed Fortunes For German Trio After First Legs

Grizzlies Wolfsburg

Roman Wick celebreates Zurich's third goal of the game.

Last season, ZSC Lions Zurich went out in the Round of 32 after winning their group. This year, they've taken a step towards making sure that doesn't happen again by winning 4-1 against CHL newcomers Grizzlys Wolfsburg. Zurich meant business right from the opening faceoff, and dominated the early going. It took just 79 seconds for them to get on the board, when Roman Wick found Luca Cunta streaking to the far post for the tip in as goalie Sebastian Vogl slid across. The goal was dislodged and video replay was needed, but the goal stood. But then Wolfsburg got a couple of power plays and turned the momentum in their favour. They got several shots on Lukas Flueler, but the Zurich goalie was his team's best penalty killer and kept the Grizzlys off the board. After killing off two penalties, Zurich scored on their first power play late in the opening period, when Mattias Sjogren finished off a pretty three-way passing play, and it was 2-0 after one. The last 40 minutes were all Zurich, outshooting Wolfsburg 25-9. The two teams traded goals just 13 seconds apart late in the second period. First Wolfsburg cut the deficit in half when Tyson Mulock's shot from the point was deflected in front by Brent Aubin, but then Robert Nilsson got it back immediately with a nice wrist shot. Wolfsburg did get a chance to close the gap again in the third when Gerrit Fauser was awarded a penalty shot, but he was denied by Flueler. Then with less than seven minutes to play, Patrk Bartschi scored Zurich's second power-play goal of the game on a rebound. That leaves Zurich in a good position, leading by three goals and heading home.
“They were really strong, but we found a way to win. We were good at scoring goals on the power play, and that was the key. It’s a really good result for us and I am very happy about it. We're in a good situation, but we still have to work hard and confirm it in the second game.” said Zurich coach Hans Wallson.
“We have to show a better effort in the second game. We have to stay out of the penalty box and make our passing better. We still have a chance and will go there to win and advance to the next round.” said Wolfsburg coach Pavel Gross.

Eisbaren Berlin
Last year Eisbaren Berlin made the CHL's Round of 16 thanks after starting off with a Petri Vehanen shutout at home. They're off to a good start of repeating that, after beating EV Zug 4-0 at Mercedez Benz Arena.
"We are very pleased with the result, but Zug has a good, skilled team. Next time, we want to play better defensively, but all in all it was a good game." said Berlin's Jamie MacQueen, who had a goal and an assist.
Die Eisbaren started to push the pace early in the game. Captain Andre Rankel's chance didn't end up in the back of the net but a few minutes later, Berlin's Cramo Top Scorer Nicholas Petersen broke the deadlock to make it 1-0. Fifteen minutes into the game, Carl Klingberg had a golden opportunity to tie things up, but his turnaround attempt, which was saved by defenceman Micki Dupont on the goal line, would be ruled off for interference anyway. After the break, the pace slowed down a bit and Zug started creating more opportunities. Early in the second, Reto Suri had a chance to tie things up, but couldn't capitalize on his breakaway and the Swiss side was punished just a few minutes later when Barry Tallackson made it 2-0. After that, Petri Vehanen had very little work to do and the home fans were sent into ecstasy once again before the second buzzer as Rankel increased the goal difference to three with his second of the game. Early in the third period, the team representing the German capital city pulled the trigger once again as MacQueen sent home the rebound of Darin Olver's deflected shot that was saved by Tobias Stephan. Die Eisbaren then controlled their comfortable lead up until the final buzzer.
"We spent too much time killing penalties. We spent too much time in the box and didn't play tough enough. We'll try to play 5 on 5 for 60 minutes next time. The series isn't over yet." said Zug coach Harold Kreis.

Red Bull Munchen

A well-contested opening period saw chances at both ends, with the Red Bulls probably having the more clear of them. Just under 6:10 played when Munich's Jonathan Matsumoto's wonderful deke on the red line got him clean through in on goal - however his shot went only at Lakers' goalie Victor Andren. Shortly after, Red Bull defenseman Mads Christensen was ejected for a bad hit in the corner, giving Vaxjo a five minute powerplay. The home side however defended resolutely to keep the Swedes out and get back to five men. VAX did however take the lead before the period was out - Cory Murphy's shot was deflected into the air, and Adam Brodecki reacted quickest to bat the puck into the net at 17:46 with an additional assist to Dennis Everberg. The middle period was a much more cautious affair from both sides, although there were half decent chances at each end. The only goal of the period came at the very end of it - a good powerplay from the Red Bulls didn't produce a goal, but they kept the pressure on and were rewarded with 15 seconds left on the period. Jerome Flaake was left with a half open net after being set up by Jason Jaffray, and made no mistake to tie the game. The final period saw less teams for both sides, although Munich maybe rue a series of missed powerplay chances which they failed to take advantage of before the end of the game. No goals in the period means the teams go to Vaxjo next week all square.
"I thought it was a great game, one of the best for anyone to watch for sure. It was far, lots of checking and shots, and a high level for 60 minutes. We're going to go on the road to Vaxjo ready - we've played five of our six league games away form home already and are top. We'll watch the video of these guys, and prepare like we would for any other game." said Munich Coach Don Jackson after the game.
"We knew we played a good team with a good system today, but we need to be quicker in our game and not give them so much time like we let them have today. We're happy with the result though, tired, but we'll be ready for the next leg. We have a big game in our own league, then a weekend of so hopefully we'll be fresh when we play Munich again." said Lakers' Coach Sam Hallam.