After two scoreless periods, Red Bull Munich outscored the Malmö Redhawks 2-1 in the third period, meaning that the three-time reigning German champs, in their first appearance in the Champions Hockey League Quarter-Finals, will take a slim lead to Southern Sweden next week. Both goalies made 28 saves in the game, and Frank Mauer’s breakaway goal with 6:23 to play is currently the difference after 60 minutes.

Two minor penalties were called against Malmö in the first 1:38 of the game, giving the home team an early 5-on-3 opportunity. Urged on by an energetic home crowd, Munich got some chances but were unable to beat Cristopher Nihlstorp. After that, chances were at a premium through the end of the second period, and the game remained scoreless. In the second period, Mauer hit the post early on and in the last minute, Danny aus den Birken made a great save off of Fredrik Händemark – sprawling to get a piece of the shot with his blocker when he appeared to be down and out – to keep it scoreless.

At 45:42, Fredrik Storm gave Malmö the lead, as he eluded a sliding Munich defenceman, then somehow snuck the puck under aus den Birken’s pad. Given the defensive nature of the game, it looked like that might be the only goal of the game, which would give the Redhawks a great chance to take a one-goal lead home.

However, Munich answered less than two minutes later, on a wrister from the point by Derek Joslin, which went through a crowd untouched and beat Nihlstorp under the crossbar. Six minutes after his goal, Joslin forced a turnover just inside his own blueline, then sprung Mauer on a breakaway. Mauer made no mistake, beating Nihlstorp high to the blocker side.

Munich actually had some chances two widen their lead in the late going but were unable, but nonetheless the first game ended with the home team in front, as the fans cheered down the final seconds.