In the head-to-head race for the top spot in the German Ice Hockey League (DEL), the Eisbären Berlin have pulled away from their previously tied pursuer Fischtown Pinguins Bremerhaven.
During the leading duo’s guest appearances on the Rhine, only Berlin stayed on track with the previous series winners Düsseldorfer EG with 3:1 (2:0, 1:0, 0:1).
Bremerhaven, on the other hand, fell three points behind the capital team at the Kölner Haien due to their second away defeat in a row with 2:3 (0:1, 2:1, 0:1).
Berlin made things clear early on against DEG, who had recently won five times in a row, on their way to their 17th away win of the season. Frederik Tiffels (4th) and Marcel Noebels (9th) established the reassuring 2-0 lead before the first third siren.
Tobias Eder (26th) sealed DEG’s first defeat on their own ice after three home wins in a row. Düsseldorf, which scored a consolation goal through Brendan O’Donnell (59th), missed out on consolidating its pre-playoff place.
With their success against Bremerhaven, Cologne improved their chances of qualifying directly for the playoffs.
Frederik Storm (56th) completed the hosts’ first win after three defeats in a row after the Northern Lights canceled out the Haie’s 2-0 lead. In the fight for the six fixed play-off places, Cologne is only one point behind sixth-placed Grizzlys Wolfsburg.