Champions Munich after first leg win: Don't let up
After the first step into the quarter-finals of the Ice Hockey Champions League, coach Toni Söderholm has warned of the second leg. "I think our opponents want revenge. They are a strong home team," said the former national coach. The German ice hockey champions celebrated a 3:2 victory over Swiss champions Genève-Servette HC in the first leg of the round of 16 on Wednesday evening.
In front of 3027 spectators in the Olympic Ice Stadium, Nicolas Krämmer (5th minute), Chris De Sousa (6th) and Ben Smith (53rd) scored the goals for the hosts. Sakari Manninen (48th) and Daniel Winnik (59th) scored for the Swiss. The second leg will be played in Switzerland on November 22. He expects a "good atmosphere", said Söderholm. Before his current stint in Munich, the Finn worked in Bern and knows Switzerland very well. "We have to be prepared," said the 45-year-old.
It was the first competitive match between the two teams. There had been one defeat and two wins in three test matches a few years ago. In the Champions League, Munich improved their record to a total of 41 wins in 69 games.
"We started very well and were very determined. We also created a lot of chances in the second period. Of course we're not happy about the goals we conceded, but on the whole it was a good performance," said Söderholm. "We have to stick to our game in the second leg and not let up."
ERC Ingolstadt suffered a 4-1 defeat against Växjö Lakers from Sweden in the first leg of the round of 16. The second leg will take place on November 21. Adler Mannheim are also threatened with elimination. The eight-time German ice hockey champions lost 1:4 (1:2, 0:0, 0:2) at the Rapperswil-Jona Lakers on Tuesday. The quarter-finals will take place in early and mid-December. They will then continue in the new year.
In the Champions Hockey League, Munich's successful first leg win against Genève-Servette HC places them in a strong position for the return match in Switzerland. Despite their dominant performance, Toni Söderholm, the Finnish coach, emphasizes the need to maintain their intensity and not betray their hard-earned advantage.
Source: www.dpa.com
