Like Frank Maurer (right) here, the polar bears in Bietigheim mostly ran after their opponents Photo: picture alliance / press photo Baumann
From BZ/dpa
That was nothing! The Eisbären Berlin suffered a severe setback in the fight for the playoff places in the German Ice Hockey League (DEL).
The German champions lost 6-2 (1-3, 0-0, 1-3) at bottom-placed Bietigheim Steelers on Sunday. Alexandre Grenier and Julian Melchiori scored for the capitals, who offered a largely disappointing performance.
In front of 3728 spectators in the Bietigheimer Arena, coach Serge Aubin’s guests determined the opening minutes and took the lead with a goal from Grenier. A little later, however, the hosts used their first power play: Michael Keränen equalized. The Berliners then completely lost the thread and conceded more goals from Elias Lindner and Constantin Braun before the first break.
Polar bear Yannick Veilleux takes his frustration out on Evan Jasper (of the Bietigheim Steelers Photo: picture alliance / press photo Baumann
The polar bears changed goalie for the second third: Tobias Ancicka stayed on the bench, Nikita Quapp made his DEL debut for the capital city, who now increased the pressure but were unlucky in front of the Bietigheimer goal.
The hosts were able to extend their lead in the final section with a second goal from Keränen and a goal from Teemu Lepaus. Melchiori shortened for the Berliners before Bietigheimer Alexander Preibisch made the final score.