Starbulls Rosenheim took a 5-3 decision over Bietigheim Steelers in regulation, and the margin was built long before the third period. Rosenheim scored twice in each of the first two periods to move out to 4-1, leaving the visitors chasing the rest of the night.
The opening period ended 2-0 for the hosts, who did not concede until the middle frame. Rosenheim answered that with two more of their own for 4-1 after 40 minutes, and while Bietigheim won the third period 2-1, the deficit was too wide to close.
The telling number is the first 40 minutes: four goals for Rosenheim, one against. Bietigheim outscored the hosts 2-1 over the final 20, but the four-goal cushion after two periods decided this one.