The Kölner Haie suffered a clear defeat in the top game of the DEL when they lost 1:5 (0:1, 1:2, 0:2) at Adler Mannheim and missed the point record for the time being.
This is held by their opponent Mannheim, who had 116 points after 52 main round games in the 2018/19 season. Cologne still have three games to at least equal the record – with currently 113 points, a win after regular time would be enough.
Against Mannheim, the KEC, who were established as main round champions, seemed strangely unsteady and weak. Justin Schütz (15th/39th), Kris Bennett (39th), Brendan O’Donnell (43rd) and John Gilmour (45th) scored the Eagles’ goals. Ryan MacInnis (36th) had meanwhile equalized for the Haie.
Juvonen keeps sharks in the game
The Eagles had the first big opportunity of the game: Christian Reichel hit the right post. The Mannheim team stuck with it and Janne Juvonenim in the KEC goal had a lot of work to do – but did it excellently.
Suddenly Nate Schnarr had his first chance on the other side – but Adler goalkeeper Maximilian Franzreb was also wide awake. Cologne then played the game more evenly, and there were no longer any great chances for either side.
Ex-Cologne Schütz scores
But suddenly the arena was cheering: Ex-Cologne Schütz, of all people, beat Juvonen from a tight angle to take the lead. Just 60 seconds later, the Cologne player made another brilliant save and prevented the second goal from being conceded.
Mannheim then found themselves outnumbered for the first time – and almost scored their second goal on a counterattack by Anthony Greco (19th). In return, Parker Tuomie only hit the crossbar, after which the first period went into the break.
Mannheim counters Cologne’s goal
In the second half of the game, Cologne had a majority situation, but again couldn’t take advantage of it. Instead, Mannheim had a great opportunity to score a second goal – once again Juvonen was the last stop. The Eagles were then allowed to operate with one more man on the ice and, with their majority, missed a number of good chances.
It happened as it had to happen: the Sharks fought their way back into the game. MacInnis took advantage of another KEC majority to score a flattering equalizer. The Eagles were by no means shocked by this – and struck back twice: Bennett took the lead again after a shot from Worge Kreü and less than 60 seconds later Schütz increased the lead to 3-1 with his second goal.
KEC experiences a bitter evening
The last quarter started like the other two: with a brilliant save from Juvonen, this time against Alexander Ehl. 60 seconds later it happened: O’Donnell used a pass in front of the goal for Mannheim’s fourth goal.
The KEC remained a step slower than the hosts – wonderful to see in the 5-1 through Gilmour, who got to the puck a bit earlier than his opponent after a cross pass and shot in on the right.
Eagles already in playoff form
It was fitting that the Sharks had a bad evening that the power play was also unsuccessful. The best power play team in the league left a majority unused, as before, and everything at the KEC seemed a bit helpless and out of ideas – although Mannheim admittedly played like they were in a frenzy in the top game.
Ten minutes before the end, the fans in the stands were already celebrating the well-deserved success. With this performance, the Eagles also made a clear statement as co-favorites for the upcoming playoffs, which begin on March 17th.
Our sources:
- Live game at Magenta: Adler Mannheim – Kölner Haie
Broadcast: WDR.de“Sharks come under the wheels in Mannheim”, 10:08 p.m
