Defending champions Eisbären Berlin scored the longed-for first win of the season in the third game of the German Ice Hockey League (DEL) – but showed a lot of nerves.
Coach Serge Aubin’s team gambled away a 4-0 lead in the last third against the promoted team Löwen Frankfurt, who were still causing a stir, and still won 5-4 in extra time (2-0, 2-0, 0-4, 1:0) through.
“The win was flattering in the end,” admitted polar bear striker Frank Mauer at MagentaSport, “you lead 4-0 at home, play dominantly and then you piss it off. Today we’re going to bed with a sour expression.”
Frankfurt, who already have two wins of the season, forced overtime with two goals from the 59th minute.
In the Mercedes-Benz Arena, Kevin Clark (9th), Mauer (18th), Zachary Boychuk (28th) and Giovanni Fiore (31st) scored for a comfortable Berlin lead, before Magnus Eisenmenger (42nd), Dylan Wurck ( 52.) and Brett Breitkreuz (59., 60.) made the master stagger. Julian Melchiori redeemed the polar bears, who jumped into the middle of the table, in overtime (62nd).