The Kölner Haie took revenge for a historic defeat in Ingolstadt and at the same time extended an impressive series of successes. They won at the ERC 5:4 (2:3, 2:1, 1:0).
Cologne had not lost ten games in a row before the game in Ingolstadt. Ten was also the number of goals the Haie conceded in their last appearance in Ingolstadt. The 3:10 on October 31st was the Rhinelanders’ first double-digit defeat in Germany Ice hockey League (DEL).
Sharks fall behind after early penalty time
Friday evening was about more than continuing a winning streak – it was about making up for something. However, the people of Cologne did not show this on the ice. The Ingolstadt team took command right from the start and used their first power play through Kenny Agostino to take the lead in the second minute.
The Bavarian dominance remained largely unchallenged until the 10th minute, before the first power break gave the guests a slightly longer break and then more play. Dominik Bokk narrowly missed the Ingolstadt goal with Cologne’s first big chance, but their second gave the Haie the equalizer. And this is worth seeing: After accepting it behind the goal, Patrick Russell pushed the puck towards the goal and when it jumped up, volleyed it into the goal (14th minute).
Record player Pietta extends the hosts’ lead
This shouldn’t be the last goal worth seeing in the first third. Two minutes later it was a strong build-up pass from Edwin Tropmann from his own third, which Riley Barber used to give the ERC the lead again (16th). Shortly afterwards, Cologne keeper Janne Juvonen was initially lucky when the post saved for him, but was powerless when DEL record player Daniel Pietta tanked halfway to the right and finished with a backhand to make it 3-1 (17th).
Defensively, the Ingolstadt team couldn’t really get a handle on what was the second-best offensive team in the league. Juhani Tyrväinen and Ryan MacInnis finished off a strong 2-1 counterattack. The Finn initially passed it across to the American and received the puck from the American at the near post, so that he only had to push it in to make it 2-3 (19′). This textbook ice hockey one-two was the final highlight before the first break.
Tyrväinen bad pass enables Ingolstadt to equalize
In the second third, Cologne showed more presence right from the start, which gave them the 3-3 equalizer in the 25th minute. They had this to thank for Bokk’s failed shot behind the goal, where he lost the puck to Leon Hüttl’s skate. From there it bounced to Louis-Marc Aubry, who passed the disc through the goal area. This time Bokk had free rein at the far post and scored.
The Haie played well, survived a penalty against Russell and even made it 4-3 when Gregor MacLeod, who had returned to the squad after an injury, hammered a pass from Russell directly into the goal. Things were going well for the league leaders until Tyrväinen made a fatal bad pass in his own third. Juvonen was able to parry Riley Sheen’s subsequent shot, but only set up Jakin Smallwood for a volley (37′).
Ingolstadt cannot use the double penalty against Storm
The Cologne team opened the final third with the last few seconds of the second Russell penalty and then had the chance to exploit their advantage for the first time. However, this was only moderately successful. As in the rest of the third, there were shots, but not clear opportunities to score.
The home team got their big chance to win at home and end Cologne’s winning streak in the 49th minute when the Dane Frederik Storm received two two-minute penalties. His high stick didn’t seem to be intentional, but it ended up in the opponent’s face. Juvonen and his front men held firm and with it the score was 4:4.
Oliwer Kaski scores from the blue line to win
The draw led to the home straight of the game, where Russell had the Haie victory on his hands when ERC keeper Brett Brochu and Sam Ruopp were only there at the last moment for his shot (57th). However, the tragic end for Ingolstadt was only postponed: 67 seconds before the end, Oliwer Kaski scored Cologne’s eleventh win in a row with a brilliant slap shot from the blue line. He owed his goal not least to two teammates who blocked Brochu’s view in front of the goal.
The Haie survived the home team’s final attack without a goalkeeper and with a sixth field player without any damage. Cologne extends its lead at the top to eleven points. The Haie have to play away again on Sunday. They go on the ice at 4:30 p.m. with the Augsburger Panthers.
Our sources:
- DEL game ERC Ingolstadt against Kölner Haie from January 9th, 2026
Broadcast: WDR.de“Kölner Haie continue their winning streak in Ingolstadt”, January 9, 202610:36 p.m
