There was an amazing atmosphere in the Leventina Valley on Saturday night. Red Bull Munich gave their large travelling support something to cheer about from the very start, as Chris Bourque netted on the powerplay from the left circle. With 34 seconds left in the first period, Ambrì-Piotta got their first chance with the man advantage. No chances came from it and Danny aus den Birken extended his 2019/20 shutout streak to four periods.
Roared on by the Curva Sud, Ambrì-Piotta punished Munich for the penalty, as Top Scorer Matt D’Agostini rifled in a slapshot from the left circle to tie the game. The momentum truly swung in the home side’s favour, and a number of chances ensued. aus den Birken was magnificent in net for Munich, with the pick of his saves being a sprawling pad stop to deny a 2 on 1 chance. Munich grew into the second period the longer it went on but failed to find a way past Daniel Manzato.
With Munich looking to secure their Playoff place, they took the lead in the first minute of the third period on the powerplay. Patrick Hager fired from the right circle and the puck eluded Manzato, giving the German side the lead. Ambrì-Piotta were not to be denied though. Dominic Zwerger rushed up the ice and made a stunning play to dish the puck to Marco Müller, who made no mistake and beat aus den Birken to tie the game 2-2. With just 35 seconds to go, Ambrì-Piotta had their chance to win it. Diego Kostner broke in alone after great play in the corner, but once again aus den Birken was his ever-reliable self and kept the scores level to send this game to overtime.
Red Bull Munich had the best chance in the extra frame. Patrick Hager elected to shoot on a 2-on-1 break but Manzato made a fantastic stick save to deny the away side. Munich continued to push the pace and forced the Ambrì-Piotta netminder into two more top-quality saves to keep the home side in it, including a Philip Gogulla breakaway chance. The game went to a shootout and Red Bull Munich won in sudden death, to give them the extra point and almost mathematically secure their Playoff place.