In the head-to-head race for the top spot in the German Ice Hockey League (DEL), the Eisbären Berlin pulled away from their previously tied pursuer Fischtown Pinguins Bremerhaven in an early game on matchday 44. On Tuesday (January 30, 2024), Berlin stayed on track with previous series winners Düsseldorfer EG with 3:1 (2:0, 1:0, 0:1).
Bremerhaven, on the other hand, also fell three points behind the capital team on Tuesday at the Kölner Haien due to their second away defeat in a row, at least temporarily 2:3 (0:1, 2:1, 0:1).
Polar bears ensure clear conditions early on
Berlin made things clear early on for DEG, which has recently won five times in a row. Frederik Tiffels (4th) and Marcel Noebels (9th) established the reassuring 2-0 lead before the first third siren. Tobias Eder (26th) sealed DEG’s first defeat on their own ice after three home wins in a row. Düsseldorf, which scored a consolation goal through Brendan O’Donnell (59th), missed out on consolidating its pre-play-off place. The party was an early game on the 44th matchday of the DEL.
Frederik Storm with the winning goal
With their success against Bremerhaven, Cologne improved their chances of qualifying directly for the play-offs. Frederik Storm (56th) completed the hosts’ first win after three defeats in a row after the Northern Lights canceled out the Haie’s 2-0 lead. In the fight for the six fixed play-off places, Cologne is only one point behind sixth-placed Grizzlys Wolfsburg.
Burkhard Hupe, Sportschau, January 30, 2024 9:49 p.m
Nuremberg started well
On Sunday afternoon (January 28th, 2024), the Berliners won 4-1 (0-1, 1-0, 3-0) against the Nuremberg Ice Tigers and thus took the lead in the table from the fish without a gametown Pinguins Bremerhaven taken over. Tobias Eder and Leonhard Pföderl each contributed two goals to Berlin’s success.
In front of 7,048 spectators in the Nuremberg Arena, the guests started strongly and were unlucky as they only hit the post twice in the opening minutes. However, when the Berliners incurred their first time penalty, the home team took the initiative on the ice. Immediately after the first Power play the Ice Tigers Danjo Leonhardt took the Nuremberg lead.
The strong and determined hosts now dominated the game, but missed a few good opportunities. The capital city team was able to equalize in the second half of the game. Eder took advantage of a fine preparatory work from Frederik Tiffels.
Strong Berlin final third
The Berliners, who were among more than 1,000 people who traveled with us fans were supported, now improved and managed to achieve a clear victory in the final third. Pföderl scored two goals before Eder made the decision again shortly before the end of the game.
DEG celebrates fifth win in a row
The Düsseldorfer EG can look further ahead after their fifth win in a row. With the 4:2 (2:1, 0:1, 2:0) win at bottom team Iserlohn Roosters The fears of relegation become smaller and DEG took tenth place, which allowed them to take part in the Pre-playoffs justified. Alexander Blank (47th) and Kevin Clark (59th) scored in the final third to win.
Meanwhile, Red Bull Munich suffered a setback in the debut of the returnee Emil Johannsen. At the Mannheim Adler, the champions suffered a 2:3 defeat (0:1, 1:2, 1:0) and were temporarily 0 after goals from Tyler Gaudet (20th) and Kris Bennett (23rd/32nd): 3 at the back. The comeback by Patrick Hager (38th) and Christopher DeSousa (53rd) came too late.
Schwenningen passes Munich
The Munich team lost fourth place to the Schwenningen team Wild Wings who went for a double with 5:2 (1:0, 1:1, 3:1) against the relegation-threatened Augsburg Panthers Matthew Puempel (39th/45th) won. The pursuers and sixth-placed Grizzlys Wolfsburg won a wild game against the Löwen Frankfurt away with 5:4 (1:1, 4:2, 1:0).
The Straubing Tigers consolidated third place with a 4:2 (1:1, 0:1, 3:0) against ERC Ingolstadt. Mark Zengerle (45th) and Marcel Brandt (41st) scored two goals in addition to the goals Assists, Parker Tuomie (19th) and JC Lipon (59th) scored the other goals. Philipp Krauß scored the two ERC goals (18th/36th).