The reigning German ice hockey champion has successfully started his semi-final series. Kirk scored the first goal for the Eisbären Berlin in a fast second third, Ronning continued his strong run and Tiffels made everything clear.
The latest edition in the rivalry Between the Eisbären Berlin and the Adler Mannheim goes to the capitals: On Tuesday evening, the ice bears in the arena at the Ostbahnhof in the first semi-final duel of the DEL playoffs prevailed 3: 1 (0: 0, 1: 0, 2: 1). In the best-of-Seven series, you will therefore lead 1-0. The second game will take place next Friday (7 p.m.) in Mannheim.
The team of coach Serge Aubin had also won the four encounters in the main round.
Five special moments from the rivalry between the polar bears and Mannheim
From Tuesday, the Eisbären Berlin and the Adler Mannheim will meet in the playoff semi-final. It is already the tenth series between the two large rivals. There have already been some spectacular moments.more
Cautious initial phase
In a cautious initial phase, polar bear goalie Jake Hildebrand, who came to his first playoff use in the current season, was first awarded after a few minutes. Overall, the guests from Mannheim started a little braver and grippy – while the polar bears countered. In the 9th minute, Zach Boychuk failed on Arno Tiefensee in the Adler goal.
After around a quarter of an hour, the polar bears played for the first time that evening in the Power Play. The eagles survived the outnumbered phase without harmless. Until the first break, there was a game that was characterized by the scanning and mutual respect. Consequently, after 20 minutes the intermediate stand of 0: 0 on the scoreboard shone.
Kirk punishes the first Mannheimer inattention
The second section was just 67 seconds old when the puck fidgeted in the Mannheim goal. Adler-goalie Tiefensee was disoriented on the ice for a moment, which Liam Kirk consistently exploited and the team of coach Serge Aubin in the lead 1-0.
“Eisbears have everything to win the championship”
Due to the victory on Tuesday evening against Straubing, the Eisbären Berlin are confident in the DEL final. Who is waiting there is still unclear. In the interview, ex-player Jens Baxmann talks about Berlin’s title chances and reveals his playoff ritual.more
As a result, the Berliners initially remained more active and pushed for the second goal. But Mannheim also came to one or the other, whereby Hildebrand was on the spot without any problems. At the end of the second third it was an open game – almost without interruption. Around 14 minutes passed without the clock being stopped once. However, there were no further goals, so that the polar bears went into the last third with the narrow 1-0 lead.
Ronning Scort in the 20th game in a row
In the final section, Ty Ronning continued his strong playoff run and, after almost five minutes, marked the preliminary decision to 2-0 (45.). It was already the 20th game in a row in which the striker Scorte.
As a result, the polar bears left one or the other promising chance – and so Mannheim actually returned again shortly before the end: Marc Michaelis shortened to 1: 2 (57th) in the Power Play. The last word, however, had the Berlin, who went out of ice as the winner: 22 seconds before the end of the game, Frederik Tiffels hit the 3-1 final score in the empty eagle goal.
