SC Bern played a solid home game last week, but they ran into Danny Aus den Birken, who made 49 saves to help visiting Red Bull Munich to a 3-2 win. That gives the German champs a one-goal lead as they host the return game on home ice in the Bavarian capital.

“It’s a team game and we actually played solid defence, but you can’t forget that Bern have a fast team and they’re in first place,” Aus den Birken said after the first leg. “We’re missing a full line so hopefully we get at least a couple guys back next week. That would make us even stronger.”

“It was a good game and we had chances but their goalie had a good night,” Bern coach Kari Jalonen evaluated. “We’re halfway through, and now we have to play the next 60 minutes there.”

Since that game, the Red Bulls have continued their winning ways with two more wins and have now reclaimed top spot in the DEL with 43 points – one more than the Nuremberg Ice Tigers. Likewise, Bern won their two recent games to extend their National League winning streak to four games. Like Munich, they also lead their league once again, although with a more comfortable five-point lead on HC Lugano.