Red Bull Munich and Vaxjo Lakers couldn't be separated over 60 minutes tonight in Bavaria, and will do it all again next week in a winner takes all encounter.

A well-contested opening period saw chances at both ends, with the Red Bulls probably having the more clear of them. Just under 6:10 played when Munich's Jonathan Matsumoto's wonderful deke on the red line got him clean through in on goal - however his shot went only at Lakers' goalie Victor Andren. Shortly after, Red Bull defenseman Mads Christensen was ejected for a bad hit in the corner, giving Vaxjo a five minute powerplay. The home side however defended resolutely to keep the Swedes out and get back to five men. VAX did however take the lead before the period was out - Cory Murphy's shot was deflected into the air, and Adam Brodecki reacted quickest to bat the puck into the net at 17:46 with an additional assist to Dennis Everberg.

The middle period was a much more cautious affair from both sides, although there were half decent chances at each end. The only goal of the period came at the very end of it - a good powerplay from the Red Bulls didn't produce a goal, but they kept the pressure on and were rewarded with 15 seconds left on the period. Jerome Flaake was left with a half open net after being set up by Jason Jaffray, and made no mistake to tie the game.

The final period saw less teams for both sides, although Munich maybe rue a series of missed powerplay chances which they failed to take advantage of before the end of the game. No goals in the period means the teams go to Vaxjo next week all square.

"I thought it was a great game, one of the best for anyone to watch for sure. It was far, lots of checking and shots, and a high level for 60 minutes," said Munich Coach Don Jackson after the game. "We're going to go on the road to Vaxjo ready - we've played five of our six league games away form home already and are top. We'll watch the video of these guys, and prepare like we would for any other game."

"We knew we played a good team with a good system today, but we need to be quicker in our game and not give them so much time like we let them have today. We're happy with the result though, tired, but we'll be ready for the next leg," said Lakers' Coach Sam Hallam. "We have a big game in our own league, then a weekend of so hopefully we'll be fresh when we play Munich again."