First the gloves flew through the arena in Mannheim because of sheer happiness, then the Eisbären Berlin players cheered and high-fived each other – in the middle of it all was their master coach Serge Aubin, who wiped tears of joy from the corners of his eyes. The defending champions in the German Ice Hockey League didn’t care at all about the shrill whistle concert from the Mannheim home fans. The injured Lean Bergmann was the first to receive the gold championship medal while sitting in a wheelchair.
Thanks to a 4:1 (1:0, 1:0, 2:1), the Eisbären converted their second match puck and thus secured their twelfth championship in the DEL. The goals from Ty Ronning (20th/44th), Liam Kirk (22nd) and Marcel Noebels (58th) meant the decisive final step in defending their title again. Only Marc Michaelis scored for Mannheim shortly before the end, when the game had long since been decided (59th).
“It’s hard for me to take it in. It all happened so quickly. Everything feels good,” said Eisbären striker Frederik Tiffels, who won his fourth championship title in a row, on Magenta TV.
The title was particularly emotional for Andreas Eder, who at the moment of sporting happiness remembered his brother Tobias Eder, who died of cancer last year. “In the jersey that my brother last wore, I can’t put it into words,” he said. “What this team has done the last two years. All the injuries, we found our way to the game from round to round,” said Eder.
This Berlin championship was long considered the most unlikely because the capital club had to struggle with numerous injuries over the course of the season. Nevertheless, he qualified for the playoffs in sixth place and then had the upper hand against the Straubing Tigers, the main round first team Kölner Haie and now also against the Adler. “It was only possible with daily work. We invested ourselves in the series,” said Tiffels. “We have a brutally awesome team,” said Eder.
There will be no historical turning point
The Berliners showed off their qualities, especially in the first three finals against Mannheim. After the 4:3 win after extra time in the fourth duel, the Eagles were hoping for a historic turnaround and the end of their longing for the title. But this season it remains the same: no team in the DEL has yet been able to make up for a 3-0 series deficit.
In an intense game, both teams had chances in the early stages – Berlin had more and the better in front of 13,600 spectators. But it took until the final minute of the first third before Ronning let the 600 Eisbären fans who had traveled with him cheer.
The second period could hardly have started better for the guests thanks to Kirk’s goal. On the other side, the Eagles missed a quick response because they lacked the ultimate accuracy in the passing game and couldn’t take advantage of a power-number situation.
Eisbären goalkeeper Stettmer towers over the top
Once again, Eisbären keeper Jonas Stettmer was the best man between the posts this afternoon. Berlin top performer Manuel Wiederer described his goalkeeper’s performance as “outstanding” and added to MagentaSport that passion was “the way to the goal”.
Even in the final section, Berlin remained true to its style of play and acted in a rip-off manner. Ronning’s 3-0 win meant an early decision. The Mannheimers didn’t give up, even took the goalkeeper off the ice early and were awarded a penalty. But it didn’t help, Stettmer was there again – except for Michaelis’ 1:4. Before that, Mik scored into the empty goal for the Eisbären. The Eagles’ wait for their first championship since 2019 continues. But they were also loudly celebrated by their supporters for a good season.
