Munich, March 1 – The Kölner Haie secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against EHC Red Bull München in an away game, marking their first win of the season against the Red Bulls. This crucial win not only solidified their position as the top team in the PENNY DEL regular season but also guaranteed their qualification for the Champions Hockey League 2026/2027. The team displayed a cohesive performance over 60 minutes, with goaltender Janne Juvonen emerging as the match-winner.
Dominant Defensive Performance Secures Key Victory
The Haie started the game with strong focus, creating early offensive chances and quickly finding their rhythm. Patrick Russell tested Matthias Niederberger in the Münchner goal within the opening minutes, followed by further attempts from Glötzl and van Calster. Despite the hosts having more possession in the first period, they remained dangerous, hitting the post three times: Ehliz, Sinn, and Abeltshauser all struck the iron.
The second period saw the anticipated battle of attrition unfold. Both teams tightened their defensive zones, limiting scoring opportunities. Juvonen remained flawless against the home team’s shots, while the Haie managed some offensive thrusts: Kaski’s direct shot and Schnarr’s attempt from the outside were both thwarted by Niederberger. The decisive goal of the game came in the 35th minute when Kemiläinen fired a shot from the blue line after a won face-off, and Gregor MacLeod deflected it past Niederberger with his back to the goal, giving the Haie the lead. Munich pressed on, hitting the crossbar again shortly before the break – their fourth shot off the iron.
Juvonen’s Fifth Shutout and Playoff Qualification
The final period maintained a high tempo. The Haie created good opportunities during a power play: MacLeod was denied from close range, Russell was stopped by Niederberger, and a deflected one-timer from Kemiläinen was blocked in front of the net. In the 50th minute, after a penalty against Kaski, the Haie had to play shorthanded again. They defended resolutely, blocking shots and clearing the puck effectively.
An extremely intense final phase followed. After penalties against Schnarr and shortly thereafter against Aubry, the Haie had to defend against a double disadvantage for a short time, also because Munich pulled their goalie, creating a 6-on-3 situation. The penalty kill unit threw themselves in front of every shot, with Moritz Müller notably blocking a dangerous attempt shortly before the end. With immense passion and a strong defensive effort, the Haie weathered the remaining seconds and secured the 1-0 victory in Munich. Janne Juvonen celebrated his fifth shutout of the season, and the team rejoiced in their regular season championship and Champions Hockey League qualification.
Key Facts from the Match:
- The Haie secured the regular season title and Champions Hockey League qualification five matchdays before the end of the main round.
- This was the Haie’s first win against Munich this season, following three previous defeats.
- Gregor MacLeod extended his scoring streak to eight consecutive games.
- Janne Juvonen saved all 30 shots from Munich, earning his fifth shutout of the season.
- The Haie successfully killed all six penalty situations without conceding a goal.
Coaches and Players React:
Coach Kari Jalonen commented, “After the long break, it was very tiring for the players to play three games in one week. It wasn’t a classic 1-0 game for me; both teams had good chances. I think we played very smartly in the second period with the longer changes, especially with the line changes, and were able to score the goal. But we took too many penalties, and normally you don’t win a game with so many penalties.”
Jan Luca Sennhenn added, “It was a very close game with chances for both sides. We played well defensively, and Janne Juvonen was very strong in goal. Our excellent penalty kill was also decisive.”
The Kölner Haie’s victory in Munich marks a significant milestone in their season, setting them up for a strong playoff run and a return to European competition.
