Marco Nowak from the Eisbären Berlin (archive picture) Photo: City Press
From BZ/dpa
The Eisbären Berlin suffered a narrow defeat in the friendly against Black Wings Linz.
On Friday evening, the German ice hockey champions lost to the Austrian first division team 3: 4 (1: 1, 2: 0, 0: 2, 0: 1) after extra time. Marco Nowak, Marco Baßler and Marcel Barinka scored for the capital city, who gave up a 3-1 lead in the final third.
Captain Frank Hördler and his son Eric had reason to celebrate despite the defeat: For the first time, the 37-year-old veteran and the 18-year-old young professional stood on the ice together for the Berliners in a game.
In the Linz ice rink, Michael Haga provided the hosts with an early lead. After Nowak’s quick equalizer, the Eisbären got into the game better and were rewarded in the second period with goals from Handschuh and Barinka.
In the final section, however, the guests got themselves into trouble with a few time penalties, so that Linz were able to equalize with goals from Emilio Romig and Brian Lebler. With his second goal, Lebler ensured the decision in favor of the home side 22 seconds after the start of extra time.
At the end of their week-long training camp in Ampflwang, Austria, the team from the capital will play another friendly at EC Red Bull Salzburg on Saturday (4:30 p.m.).