The Eisbären Berlin have suffered another setback in the relegation battle of the German Ice Hockey League (DEL). Table leaders Munich won again.
On Friday evening (January 6th, 2023), the German champions lost 2:4 (1:2, 1:2, 0:0) at the Düsseldorfer EG and thus suffered their fifth away defeat in a row. Marcel Noebels and Matt White scored for the capitals, who made too many mistakes against the efficient hosts.
The 9632 spectators saw a varied early phase, because both teams tried to play quickly forward from the start. The Berliners took the lead in their first power play through a goal by Noebels, but then often acted a bit too passively, so that the home side were able to turn the result in their favor with goals from Alexander Ehl and former Eisbären professional Daniel Fischbuch.
situation is coming to a head
After the first break, the polar bears tried to threaten goals, but were countered again and again. Jakub Borzecki and Alec McCrea were able to extend the lead of the Rhinelanders. Shortly before the end of the third, White’s goal once again gave the capital city hope. In the final section, Tobias Ancicka took over from Juho Markkanen in Berlin’s goal. However, his front men were no longer able to avert the defeat.
With the polar bears, the situation in the table basement is getting worse due to the unsuccessful guest appearance in the Rhineland. After the fifth defeat in the last six games, the advantage over the relegation zone is only six points.
Narrow victory for Munich
League leaders Red Bull Munich celebrated their third win in a row. Bayern won 3-2 (1-1, 1-1, 1-0) at newly promoted Löwen Frankfurt.
Chris DeSousa, Maksymilian Szuber and Ryan McKiernan scored in Frankfurt for the runner-up from Munich, who is circling lonely at the top of the table. It was the 29th win for Don Jackson’s team in 37 games of the season.
Ingolstadt sovereign
The two pursuers, each 13 points behind Munich, did not show any weakness either. ERC Ingolstadt defeated the Kölner Haie 4:1 (1:0, 1:1, 2:0) on foreign ice.
Thanks to a strong final third, the Adler Mannheim won a 3:2 (0:1, 1:1, 2:0) at the Straubing Tigers. David Wolf decided the game almost single-handedly with three goals.
The Augsburg Panthers missed a decisive step forward by beating the Nürnberg Ice Tigers 3:4 (1:1, 1:1, 1:1, 0:1) after extra time.