The Saxons received the feared blow from the leaders in Cologne and are now relegated from the DEL because their competitor Frankfurt won their game at the same time.
What has been obvious for weeks is now a certainty: the Dresden Eislöwen have finally been relegated in sporting terms after their 7-2 defeat at the Kölner Haien. Since the Löwen Frankfurt won their game at the same time, the Saxons can no longer overtake the Hessians on points.
“It’s absolutely painful”
The fact that the moment of certainty, despite being predictable, is not easy to digest was also shown by Maik Walsdorf’s statement after the relegation was sealed: “It’s absolutely painful, even minutes after the game – it’s a stab in the heart,” the Eislöwen’s managing director allowed us to look deep into his emotional world. “This sporting relegation is a catastrophe for every single person. Today we were once again shown clearly where our limits lie.”
Walsdorf also addressed the fans – and immediately appeared combative again: “I would like to thank our fans and supporters on behalf of the Dresden Ice Lions. What they have achieved this season is anything but self-evident. This solidarity is what defines Dresden as a location. Today we can be sad, today tears can flow. But we will roll up our sleeves and look forward from tomorrow. We are approaching the DEL2 with full determination – with the clear goal: to play ice hockey successfully again.”
Dresden played well and still conceded two goals
After the long Olympic break, the weakened Ice Lions – including Suess and Turnbull have already said goodbye – went straight to the frontrunners Kölner Haie. And the Saxons showed a committed performance in the first third, kept the game open and set their own accents every now and then. But the bell rang in the ninth minute when Tanner Kero deflected a shot unstoppable with his stick. The Ice Lions had opportunities to score. They played in the majority for a total of six minutes in the first third. But the bell rang in the wrong box on the second five-on-four. Ryan MacInnis completed a quick counter move to make it 2-0 in the 18th minute.
Dresden’s keeper Olkinuora concedes a goal.
Ice lions fall apart in the middle third
Things got really bitter for Dresden in the second third. After the 3-0 lead in the 24th minute, goalkeeper Juho Olkinuora left the ice in exasperation, and Janick Schwendener scored his fourth goal a few seconds after being substituted on. Ricardo Hendreschke was somewhat lucky to score a consolation goal. Then Cologne really turned up the heat again and at times literally showed off the ice lions. The result was 7:1 after 40 minutes.
Kilian Hinterdobler (main referee, 17); Gregor Macleod (Kölner Haie, Sturm, 89)
Cosmetics in the last third
The final period started with a quick goal from Trevor Parks. Cologne then pressed again, but only hit the post twice. Janick Schwendener also showed his skills several times in the last 20 minutes and kept his box clean. In the end the game fizzled out.
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