The Cologne sharks have spectacularly won the 255th Rhein derby in the German Ice Hockey League (DEL) and stopped their downward trend. Ingolstadt cannot be stopped.
The team of coach Kari Jalons won 7: 4 (1: 3, 3: 1, 3: 0) at Düsseldorfer eG despite repeated deficiency. After three bankruptcies in series, the KEC, currently in the table, reported back in the fight for the play-off places. The strong DEG, which had scored in five of the last six games, remains penultimate.
Before 13,102 spectators, the hosts quickly took the lead with 3-1, but slept into the second third: Frederik Storm and Justin Schütz both met in the first minute of the game section for the sharks within only 31 seconds.
Alexander Blank (36th) then achieved 4: 3 for the DEG, but Alexandre Grenier (38th) was able to compensate for again. Brady Austin (43.), again Storm (50th) and Gregor Macleod (58th) ensured that Cologne has remained undefeated in the Rhein derby since December 2023.
Ingolstadt continued successful
Meanwhile, leadership leader ERC Ingolstadt continued his winning streak. The approximate 4: 1 (0: 0, 2: 1, 2: 0) at the Straubing Tigers was the sixth success in a row.
In addition, the bottom of Augsburg received the next bankruptcy: the Panther lost the Schwenninger Wild Wings 2: 4 (0: 2, 0: 1, 2: 1). The late catch -up was successful.
Eisbären Berlin bite their teeth at EHC Munich
The Eisbären Berlin have a new opponent in their own hall: EHC Munich won for the second time this DEL season in the capital – this time there was at least a point for the polar bears.
Already in December the Munich team had a successful trip to Berlin when they won 4: 1, this time there was a 3: 2 (0: 1, 1: 0, 1, 1, 0: 0, 1: 0) Penalty shooting. Christopher Desousa made the decision after the goalless extension. Previously, Maxmilian Daubner (37th) and Yasin Ehliz (43.) had taken care of the EHC turn after the polar bear lead by Frederik Tiffels (19th), but Ty Ronning (49.) equalized.
Berlin’s Eric Mik and Munich’s Christopher Desousa in a duel
Return to the trainer office and to an ex-club
With the victory, coach Don Jackson also celebrated a successful return to Munich. The 68-year-old already led the EHC to four championship titles (2016, 2017, 2017 and 2023) and only took over the coaching job again on Wednesday, after Max Kaltenhauser surprisingly announced his resignation. In Berlin it was also a special game for Jackson who was honored with the polar bears before the game started because of his five championship titles.
“It was a great victory for the boys – and for me too”said Jackson after “Magenta Sport”. The American had withdrawn from the coaching position almost two years ago and should be “Head of Coaching Development“Take care of the training of new coaches at Red Bull.
Now Jackson is back at the EHC on the gang, his team is now fifth with 39 points. The polar bears remain the first pursuers of league leaders ERC Ingolstadt, the deficit is five points.