The Eisbären Berlin remain at the top of the table despite a defeat in national player Marcel Noebels’ 500th game in the German Ice Hockey League (DEL). The capital club lost on Friday in the hard-fought top duel against the Straubing Tigers 3:4 (2:1, 0:2, 1:0, 0:0, 0:1) after a penalty shootout. Vice world champion Noebels saved the Berliners with 10.2 seconds left in overtime, but then missed several great chances for victory.
Previously, German World Cup hero Frederik Tiffels (9th) and Ty Ronning (14th) had given the hosts the lead twice. After goals from Philip Samuelsson (11th), Matt Bradley (21st) and Tim Brunnhuber (23rd), Straubing looked like the sure winner before Noebels scored. Straubing kept his nerve in the penalty shootout. The Eisbären are one point ahead of the Tigers with 21 points.
Champion Red Bull Munich, on the other hand, suffered their fourth defeat of the season on matchday ten. Former national coach Toni Söderholm’s team lost 0-1 (0-0, 0-1, 0-0) against the Grizzlys Wolfsburg during the week after reaching the round of 16 of the Champions Hockey League. Nolan Zajac (22nd) scored the decisive goal. With 16 points, Munich is only in seventh place.
After the 4:2 (0:0, 3:1, 1:1) at the Fischtown Pinguins Bremerhaven, the Adler Mannheim are fourth behind Berlin, Straubing and the Schwenninger Wild Wings (20 points). Kris Bennett stood out with a brace for the eight-time champions.
The Kölner Haie conceded at least five goals for the third time in a row in a 4:6 (2:2, 1:1, 1:3) win at the Löwen Frankfurt. After the strong start to the season and the temporary lead in the table, former national coach Uwe Krupp’s team finished in ninth place (15 points). Things aren’t going well at the Rhenish rival Düsseldorfer EG either. DEG remains bottom of the table (6) after the 2:5 (1:2, 0:0, 1:3) in Schwenningen.