The Kölner Haie narrowly won the second game of the DEL playoff series against the Schwenninger Wild Wings on Friday evening. Once again the guests proved to be strong opponents.
At 4:2 (1:2, 1:0, 2:0), Schwenninger annoyed the Haie for a long time – only at the beginning of the final third did Cologne turn the game around and take the lead. Because the Haie were the team that dominated the game overall and had a clear increase in chances, the home win was deserved.
Haie coach Jalonen: “Very close game”
“It was a very close game, like in game one,” said Haie coach Kari Jalonen. “We improved from third to third, especially in the simple things: more face-off wins, fewer opposing chances to score.”
In the best-of-seven series against Schwenningen, Cologne leads 2-0, followed by the third game in Schwenningen on Sunday (3 p.m.). If the Haie win there too, the semi-final match point awaits at the next home game on Tuesday (7.30 p.m.).
Schwenningen caught Cologne ice cold twice
In the first game of the playoff series, a goal in the first third was enough for Cologne to secure a narrow 1-0 win. The Haie also started the second game powerfully and wanted to live up to their status as favorites early on. After a good first few minutes from Cologne, the guests struck more or less out of nowhere: Phil Hungerecker, with a bit of luck, completed a fast counterattack via the Spink brothers to make it 1-0 for Schwenningen (9th minute of the game).
In game one, the Haie left three power play situations unused, this time the first power play led to the goal: Nate Schnarr made it 1-1 with a hard direct shot (15th). The KEC world was in order again, the sold-out hall with 18,600 spectators cheered exuberantly – albeit for a very short time.
The Cologne fans support their team against the Schwenninger Wild Wings
Tyson Spink cleverly deflected a seemingly harmless shot from the blue line past Haie goalie Janne Juvonen into the goal. Only 52 seconds after the equalizer, the Schwenningen team were leading again. The game now became more heated, there were several verbal battles, but no more goals were scored until the third break.
Uher hits, Juvonen makes a strong save
As was the case for much of the opening third, the Haie were the more active team in the middle section. The reward followed quickly: Dominik Uher deflected a shot from distance under the crossbar (28th). Shortly afterwards, Uher and Parker Tuomie ran towards Wild Wings goalkeeper Joacim Eriksson after a strong pass from Valtteri Kemiläinen, but carelessly missed the huge chance.
Then Juvonen’s time came. The DEL Player of the Year suddenly had a lot to do because Louis-Marc Aubry had to go to the penalty box for four minutes because of a high stick that resulted in injury. The Wild Wings applied pressure and fired shots, but Juvonen was able to excel several times and was celebrated with chants. A subsequent Haie power play also remained goalless.
Schnarr gave the Haie the lead with his second goal
New third, same picture: Again the Haie were the more powerful team, and once again that paid off. Kevin Niedenz moved cleverly in the opponent’s third and crossed to Schnarr, who shot hard and scored through Eriksson’s guard to give the Haie their first lead of the game (43′).
The favored Sharks remain on the accelerator even after taking the lead. Even a game with fewer players didn’t really cause problems for Cologne; when the number was equal, the hosts remained the better team. Only the fourth goal was missing for a long time, so the game remained exciting until the final minute – before Aubry put the lid on it with an empty-net goal.
Our sources:
- Playoff quarter-final game between the Kölner Haie and the Schwenninger Wild Wings at Magenta Sport on March 27th, 2026
- Website of the German Ice Hockey League (DEL)
Broadcast: WDR.de“Kölner Haie also win game two against Schwenningen”, March 27, 202610:46 p.m
