The final series in the first two German ice hockey lends are coming to an end. In Cologne and Düsseldorf, hope for a successful outcome is disappearing.
If one hadn’t known that the sharks were hopelessly back on Wednesday evening, they could have believed that they were on their way to the championship title. The Cologne fans in the arena, which was sold out with 16,800, celebrated their team loudly, although the sharks just received the highest home bankruptcy with 0: 7 (0: 2, 0: 2, 0: 3), which was previously booked in the final playoffs of the German Ice Hockey League.
The fans of the Cologne sharks celebrated their team despite the high defeat against the Eisbären Berlin.
The fans sensed that it will very likely be the last opportunity this season to thank their team for the final participation, with which very few had expected the playoffs. After this demonstration of power, Berlin lacks a victory to the championship title, and finally the championship on Friday (7.30 p.m.) is also to succeed in front of a home crowd.
This was not the case with the youngest of the ten championship titles: in 2021, no spectators were approved in the stadium because of the corona pandemic. In 2022 and 2024, the polar bears won the decisive victory away. The motivation among the Berliners is therefore great and the likelihood of success on Friday after the two 7-0 successes, which was led.
The capitals were superior in these two games in all matters, convinced with the wit, consequence and effectiveness, while the Rhinelander lost their defensive basic order too often and revealed weaknesses in the end of the opposing goal.
Kari Jalons: “We only have a cartridge”
After this demonstration of power, one may no longer believe that the Kari Jalons team can win three games in a row against the polar bears. In the series it is 3: 1 for the polar bears – at 20: 3 goals. A final series of the DEL was rarely one -sided. Nevertheless, the coach does not want to give up: “Our life is now becoming easier – we only have a cartridge,” said Jalons after the home bankruptcy.
Sportschau, April 25th, 2025 7:29 p.m.
The goal is to win the game on Friday to get a home game again. It is not impossible. On the one hand, his team already achieved a victory in the final series. On the other hand, the Cologne team had a good initial phase on Wednesday, cheerfully played forward and showed a lot of effort.
But at the latest after the 0: 2 by Marcel Noebels after 16 minutes, the plug was pulled near the sharks, and Berlin was subsequently overwhelmed. In the short time, Jalons now have to plant new confidence to his players in order to force at least game six. After the game, captain Moritz Müller was clearly disappointed: “It is very difficult for us to score. But that also brings energy in the end. As long as it takes longer, the more difficult the belief is,” said Müller.
Dresden can seal DEG descent on Friday
So little speaks for the first Cologne championship title after 23 years, it is also becoming increasingly unlikely for Düsseldorfer eG to maintain the class. In the DEL2 final series, the Dresden Eislöwen, like the Berliners, lead 3-1.
On Wednesday evening, the third victory won 4-0 against the Ravensburg Towerstars, so that the Saxons are only missing a victory for the championship and the associated rise. The Dresdeners could thus seal the descent of the DEG in the fifth final on Friday (8 p.m.) in Ravensburg.
Focus on DEG planning is on DEL2
The sporty Düsseldorfers would only remain on the Beletage of German ice hockey if the Upper Swabians got the title, because Ravensburg has not applied for a first division license. But hope is getting smaller.
The two ex-players of DEG Rick Amann and Andreas Niederberger, who, after the separation from sports director Niki Mondt since the beginning of April as a responsible consultant, support the operational business of the traditional club and will take over the management from May, have the 2nd division in the head for the coming season.
“Of course, we have in mind that there is still a small option that we can stay in the DEL. But we only deal with it when it really comes. Our focus is clearly on the DEL2,” says Amann. The aim is to play a secure and solid season there.
EHL change to Mannheim now fixed
After the final series between Dresden and Ravensburg, it will soon be certain which budget the club can plan and which players the DEG will be left. As expected, the Adler Mannheim announced on Thursday. The obligation of international Alexander Ehl.
Bennet Roßmy (Bremerhaven), Bernhard Ebner (Kaufbeuren) and Nikita Quapp (not known) have already been determined as departures.
Our sources:
- Club homepage Cologne Haie
- Club homepage Düsseldorfer eG
- Sport Information Service (SID)
- German press agency (dpa)
