ERC Ingolstadt loses the second game against the Kölner Haie despite a clear superiority with 2:3 after extra time and thus the series with 0:2.
The season is over for ERC Ingolstadt. Despite the clear superiority, the Panthers lost against the Kölner Haie 2:3 after extra time and thus the series with 0:2. With the departure, the almost four and a half year tenure of coach Doug Shedden could end.
As in the 3:4 defeat in the first game, the ERC had to do without a few top performers. Defenders David Warsofsky, Ben Marshall and Mat Bodie were absent, as was striker Frederik Storm. Chris Bourque had to help out again on defense and received the most ice time at the ERC. In goal, Danny Taylor was given preference over Kevin Reich.
The Panthers started with a lot of energy and delivered a furious first third. They attacked Cologne early in their zone, acted very physically, completed every check and also played really good ice hockey. Consequently, they led 2-0 after 20 minutes and could have scored more goals with 18-6 shots on target. From the very first second, the ERC knew only one direction, and that was forward. Chris Bourque shot just wide (1st), Jerome Flaake tested Haie goalie Justin Pogge (5th). Timothy McGauley had the greatest opportunity but couldn’t put the shot past Pogge from close range (6′).
ERC Ingolstadt plays strong first third
Driven by a raucous crowd of fans, the Panthers kept pushing and rewarded themselves. Leon Hüttl served Mirko Höfflin, who finished alone in front of Pogge to make it 1-0 (8th). When a man from Cologne was in the penalty box, the ERC added the second goal (10′). And this with a wonderful direct combination. Via Justin Feser, Bourque and Daniel Pietta, the puck landed at Brandon DeFazio, who only had to push it into the empty goal. Cologne were shocked and probably took a tactical recovery period when the game was interrupted for several minutes due to problems with Pogge’s equipment. In fact, the pressure from the Panthers eased afterwards. Only Aubry had an opportunity again in the final phase of the section (17th). The Haie also had shots from David McIntyre (16th) and Andreas Thuresson (18th).
Everything smelled like the series equalizer, but the Panthers destroyed the first third within 36 seconds. First, Cologne took advantage of a majority after the restart and shortened through Thuresson (21st). Then Jonas Holos came to the disc and hit the bar from a short distance (22nd). It was only after a few minutes that the Panthers freed themselves from the grip and got back into the game better. Bourque tested Pogge (25′), Feser also got a shot (26′). On the other side, Taylor was challenged against Jon Matsumoto (28′). The goalie later prevented another goal with his catch hand when Luis Üffing pulled away after a counterattack (36′). Overall, the impression was that the Panthers were losing their strength, especially since players like Bourque and Wagner spent a lot of time on the ice.
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Decision made in extra time
But in this they saw themselves deceived. The Panthers pressed in the last third and had enough chances (18:3 shots) to win the game. The ERC initially played outnumbered, even with two more men on the ice for 29 seconds. However, Höfflin (44th) and Jerome Flaake (45th) missed opportunities. Pietta and Höfflin had a double chance (47th). Leon Hüttl also tried, Feser again failed to get past the strong Pogge (51′). The Panthers only had to blow hard when Julian Chrobot shot over the open goal (46′). Ultimately, after 51:21 shots on goal, it went into overtime. There Cologne had the better end with a goal from Jon Matsumoto, who scored twice the number (70th).
ERC Ingolstadt Taylor—Hüttl, Quaas; Bourque, Wagner; Jobke, Gnyp; Brune—Soramies, Pietta, Höfflin; Simpson, Feser, DeFazio; McGaukey, Aubry, Flaake; Stachowiak, Henriquez, Koch – Viewers 3663 – Tore 1: 0 Höfflin (8.), 2: 0 DeFazio (10.//PP), 2: 1 Thuresson (21./PP), 2: 2 Holos (22.), 2: 3 Matsumoto (70./PP) ).