Against Augsburger Panther: Kölner Haie win again – and chase the main round record

As of: March 4, 2026 • 10:32 p.m

The Kölner Haie are unstoppable in the German Ice Hockey League this season. There was also a win against the Augsburg Panthers – and the main round record is getting closer and closer.

The cheers in the sold-out Cologne Arena were huge, and around 18,000 spectators rose from their seats in appreciation: The Haie clinched their fourth win in a row after the Olympic break in the German Ice Hockey League (DEL) against the Augsburg Panthers with an impressive and clear 6:2 (2:0; 2:1; 2:1) win – and thus wrote another chapter in their special success story.

Kevin Niedenz (8th + 20th), Oliwer Kaski (28th), Ryan MacInnis (36th), Valtteri Kemiläinen (48th) and Tanner Kero (52nd) scored for the Rhinelanders. Donald DJ Busdeker (2nd) scored the second goal for Augsburg, Ryan Button scored the second Panther goal (52nd).

After 48 of a total of 52 main round games, the Haie have collected 113 points. In the remaining four games they only need four more points to surpass the previous record holder Adler Mannheim, who had a total of 116 points after 52 games in 2019.

Dominant from the start

The Haie, who have been waiting for a championship title since 2002, also secured the main round victory again on the last matchday, after a 1-0 win in Munich – after 26 years. And: For the first time since the 2014/15 season, they have qualified for the Champions Hockey League again.

The Haie showed right from the start that the championship title this year can only be won by coach Kari Jalonen’s team. They dominated the game and Niedenz scored twice, with the winger scoring the only goals in the first third.

Early goal for the Panthers

However, Augsburg got off to a lightning start in the second third. Busdeker converted early after a 4:2 majority to make it 1:2. However, the Bavarian Swabians’ joy didn’t last too long. After a bad pass from the Panthers, Cologne defender Kaski got the puck at the blue line, from where he hammered the puck past goalkeeper Peyton Jones into the net for a 3-1 lead.

And the Haie remained offensive, Robin van Calster only hit the crossbar (33rd) of the Augsburg goal. A few minutes later the Sharks struck again and took advantage of their superiority after a time penalty for the Panthers. Striker MacInnis scored from a free stand and from close range to make it 4-1.

Quick response from the sharks

With the clear lead behind them, the Haie took things a little easier in the third third, but without losing control of the game. Defender Kemiläinen then made the preliminary decision after he deflected a long-range shot from Veli-Matti Vittasmäki to make it 5-1.

After that, only Cologne played against visibly demoralized Augsburg. But the Panthers didn’t give up completely, Button scored with a hard-hitting shot to make it 2:5 – the Augsburg defender’s first goal of the season. However, the Haie immediately followed up, Button scored in the direct counterattack and just 27 seconds later to make the final score 6-2.

Sharks travel to Mannheim

The KEC continues on Friday with an away game at Adler Mannheim. The game starts at 7:30 p.m.

Our sources:

Broadcast: “Kölner Haie win 6:2 against Augsburg”, WDR.de, March 4th, 2026, 10:12 p.m