Marco Nowak (left) celebrates with Giovanni Fiore and Frank Mauer about his goal to make it 3-1 against Augsburg Photo: City Press
By Oliver Knack
The polar bears can only win or lose in series. After the last three bankruptcies in a row (before that there were five wins in a row), the defending champion got a very important home win against Augsburg.
With the 4:2 (1:0, 2:1, 1:1) there is still hope of reaching the playoffs. The Berliners are currently six points behind in tenth place. There is Schwenningen with 65 points, the Berliners have six points fewer on the account. And there are still seven games to play.
Yannick Veilleux gave the Berliners an early lead (8th). Although Puempel (25th) was able to equalize with a majority, the Berliners increasingly determined the game after that. Matt White (31./ 43.) and frank wall (36.) ensured the reassuring 4:1 lead. The 4:2 (59 th ) through Augsburg’s Lamb came too late.
A lot going on in front of goalkeeper Tobias Ancicka’s goal in Berlin. But teammate Morgan Ellis prevented Sebastian Wännström from finishing Photo: City Press
The Berliners have almost reached the playoffs in their own hands: the Eisbären can rest until the next DEL game, but only have to play next Sunday (February 12) at the defeated last Bietigheim. A must-win if you really want to make the playoffs.
After that, a first real final awaits: the gap can be further reduced in the direct competitor Schwenningen. Should work when the polar bears start a series again…