Defending champion Eisbären Berlin is still not gaining momentum. Captain Frank Hördler’s team lost to ERC Ingolstadt on Sunday (December 11, 2022) in his 1000th game in the German Ice Hockey League (DEL). Despite the polar bears catching up, the game ended 3:4 (1:2, 0:1, 2:0, 0:0, 0:1) after a penalty shootout. Berlin conceded the fourth defeat in five games.
The Berliners achieved their last win after 60 minutes at the beginning of November. After only five wins from 27 games, the polar bears are in 13th place. The Augsburg Panthers are right behind them after a 2:3 (0:2, 1:1, 1:0) against the Düsseldorfer EG. The Nürnberg Ice Tigers lost to the Grizzlies Wolfsburg 1:4 (0:3, 1:0, 0:1).
Daniel Pietta decides the game
Shortly before the second break, Berlin fell 3-1 behind after a goal by Daniel Pietta (40th minute). Leo Pföderl (43′) shortened the lead, Kevin Clark extended the lead (56′). After five goalless minutes, Pietta made the decision in favor of the guests in the penalty shoot-out, Berlin still collected a point.
Munich outclasses Mannheim
The EHC Munich solved its task in the top game sovereign. The leader beat the third-placed Adler Mannheim 6:2 (2:0, 3:2, 1:0) and continued to pull away from the first pursuer Ingolstadt. The Straubing Tigers (4th) reduced the deficit to Mannheim with a 3:2 (1:2, 0:0, 2:0) victory over the Kölner Haie.
Late on Sunday evening, Fischtown Pinguins Bremerhaven lost 3-2 to Löwen Frankfurt after extra time. Carter Rowney scored the winning goal in overtime.