Runners-up Ingolstadt eliminated from the Champions League
German ice hockey runners-up ERC Ingolstadt have been eliminated in the last 16 of the Champions League. The 3:3 (1:2, 0:0, 2:1) draw against the Växjö Lakers in Sweden was not enough for the Upper Bavarians to turn the overall result in their favor. The 4-1 defeat in the first leg proved to be too heavy a burden.
After goals from Kalle Kossila (9th minute) and Dylan McLaughlin (20th), the Swedes were ahead again after the first period, but Ingolstadt struck back through Maury Edwards (15th). After a goalless second period, Ingolstadt led 3:2 in the final period thanks to goals by Mathew Bodie (43') and Philipp Krauß (46') and still had some hope before Ludvig Nilsson (58') equalized.
The Växjö Lakers thus made it through to the next round, while Ingolstadt were once again eliminated in the early stages of the tournament, similar to the 2015/16 season.
Meanwhile, champions ERC Red Bull Munich are through to the round of 16 against Swiss champions Genève-Servette HC and are aiming for a place in the quarter-finals after a 3-2 win in the first leg.
Despite their strong performance in the return leg, with goals from Maury Edwards, Mathew Bodie, and Philipp Krauß, ERC Ingolstadt fell short in the Champions Hockey League, unable to overcome their 4-1 deficit from the first leg against Växjö Lakers. On a positive note, champions ERC Red Bull Munich, hailing from Munich, are advancing in the tournament, aiming for the quarter-finals after their 3-2 win in the first leg against Genève-Servette HC.
Source: www.dpa.com
