The Cologne Haie stopped the winning streak of the Eisbären Berlin and awakened hopes for their first championship title in 23 years.
They had more game shares over the entire match and also the better chances. Nevertheless, the Cologne sharks had to tremble long until Gregor Macleod brought the hall to cook in extra time. With 2: 1, the Rhinelanders struck the defending champion from Berlin on Saturday and equalized in the final series of the German Ice Hockey League to 1-1.
The sharks had obviously had a lot going on after the opening loss in Berlin. Because they started dominant and set a first small exclamation mark in the first minute. Moritz Müller’s shot was still blocked by a defender. Shortly afterwards, Alexandre Grenier drove alone to the guest goal and could only be stopped by a leg position from Olivier Galipeau. The Berliner then received the first punishment of the game.
And the sharks then used the majority to take the lead through Parker Tuomie (4th). Cologne almost added immediately, but Josh Currie narrowly pushed the puck past the goal. In the middle of the first third, the polar bears also got better into the game. Marcel Noebels failed on the strong Cologne goalie Julius Hudacek. On the other hand, Jake Hildebrand defused the attempts by Justin Schütz and Frederik Storm. So it went into the first third break for the sharks with a narrow but deserved lead.
Norwin Panocha (left) and Louis-Marc Aubry fight for the puck
Berlin’s Ronning on record course
The middle section started again with a good opportunity for the Cologne. Maximilian Kammerer tried twice, but without success. Instead, Berlin was equalized after 23 minutes. Leo Pföderl used the first power play for his team. The assist once again delivered Ty Ronning, who was preparing to crack the hundred points mark this season.
It was now an open game, with chances on both sides. For the sharks, Gregor Macleod (25th) only hit the outside network, after half an hour Berlin Ronning failed on the post. Overall, the sharks also remained the more dangerous team in round two. Especially in the last five minutes, they urged the leadership, but either Hildebrand or the aluminum saved for the defending champion.
Cologne also does not use double outnumbered
Cologne immediately took command again in the final third. In almost all statistics, the Rhinelanders were at the front, especially their pass rate was much better. But the redeeming second goal was long in coming. The Berliners, on the other hand, rarely drove relief attacks. Galipeau almost used one of them, but Hudacek was ultimately on hand.
In the last few minutes, the polar bears made life difficult for themselves, at times played in double outnumbered. But that did not bring the desired success for Cologne either: Tuomie pushed the disc just over, Almquist’s shot was blocked by Frederik Tiffels and Gregor Macleod also found no gap. It went into extra time.
Macleod keeps the nerves
In the overtime, Schütz had the best chances for the sharks, but more than an outer network and post did not jump out once again. The polar bears were now also much better in the game, so that an open exchange of blows developed. The drama only ended after 74 minutes when Macleod kept his nerve in front of Hildebrand and drog the puck for the 2-1 win for the sharks.
The fight for the 30th title in DEL history is completely open again. Defending champion Berlin, who lost his captain Kai Wissmann with a hand injury, has a home right on Easter Monday in game three.
Our sources:
- Game Cologne Haie – Eisbären Berlin on April 19, 2025
