The Kölner Haie have secured themselves in the top group with a spectacular victory in the top game of the German Ice Hockey League.
The runner-up won against the Straubing Tigers on Sunday 7:4 (2:3, 3:1, 2:0) and climbed to third place with their fourth win in a row. Leader Adler Mannheim has 30 points, followed by Straubing (27) and Cologne (24).
Patrick Russell (11th/41st) and Gregor MacLeod (26th/49th) each scored twice for the Haie, while Parker Tuomie (19th), Nate Schnarr (37th) and Ryan MacInnis (40th) were also successful.
The attack line with Russell, MacLeod and Tanner Kero particularly shaped the hosts’ offensive game. Alex Green (3rd), Josh Melnick (14th), Marcel Brandt (15th) and Skyler McKenzie (23rd) scored the goals for Straubing.
Both teams engaged in a fast-paced exchange of blows with completely different phases of the game. The Tigers got off to a stronger start and failed over the course of time, mainly due to a lack of effectiveness.
The Haie, on the other hand, were cold in front of the goal, played some counterattacks excellently and were able to rely on goalie Tobias Ancicka, who saved 34 shots. Ancicka recently moved back into goal because competitor Felix Brückmann was missing for several weeks with a knee injury.