Leader Red Bull Munich and former runner-up Grizzlys Wolfsburg successfully dealt with frustration in the German Ice Hockey League (DEL) after their knockout round in the Champions Hockey League.
Munich consolidated their lead at the Schwenninger Wild Wings with their fifth win in a row with 3:2 (1:2, 1:1, 0:0), while Wolfsburg with their third success in a row with 3:2 (1:0, 0 :1, 2:1) stopped the Iserlohn Roosters’ winning streak and settled in the playoff zone.
Defending champion Eisbären Berlin suffered a relapse. After the success against ex-champion Adler Mannheim, the team from the capital went 2: 3 (1: 2, 1: 0, 0: 0, 0: 0, 0: 1) against the Nuremberg Ice Tigers after a penalty shoot-out for the third time knocked off the ice in the last four games and is still stuck in the bottom third of the table. Patrick Reimer redeemed the Franks with his decisive penalty after three previous defeats.
In the basement, the Augsburg Panthers sent a sign of life. The 2-0 (0-0, 0-0, 2-0) at ex-champion Düsseldorfer EG meant only the second success in the last twelve games for the southern Germans after seven away bankruptcies in a row.
Tail light Bietigheim Steelers, on the other hand, sold themselves expensively against Munich’s pursuers Mannheim, but ultimately had to accept their third defeat in a row after extra time despite leading twice with 4:5 (2:2, 1:1, 1:1, 0:1).
The former title holder ERC Ingolstadt returned to the road to success with a 3:2 (0:0, 1:1, 2:1) after two bankruptcies in a row. At the same time, the Upper Bavarians established themselves as the first pursuers of the top duo.