Against the defensively strong Ice Tigers from Nuremberg, the Adler Mannheim initially only hit the crossbar and then increasingly established themselves. Kris Bennett provided a bright spot twice.
Against the defensively strong Ice Tigers from Nuremberg, the Adler Mannheim initially only hit the crossbar and then increasingly established themselves. Kris Bennett provided a bright spot twice.
The Adler Mannheim started the last third of the regular season with a defeat. In the game against the tenth-place team from Nuremberg, in front of almost 13,000 spectators in the SAP Arena, the hosts only managed a 2-4 defeat.
The start of the game in the SAP Arena belonged more to Mannheim, who created two big chances within the first five minutes, including one that hit the crossbar. However, the first goal was scored by Nuremberg, who got better and better into the game and took the lead in the twelfth minute thanks to a completely free Owen Headrick. The Eagles were unable to take advantage of their first advantage situation: Nick Mattinen only hit the crossbar and missed the equalizer in the 17th minute.
Mannheim in Permanent backlog
The Ice Tigers remained stable defensively and on the offensive offensively in the second third. In the 25th minute, the guests combined quickly in front of Mannheim’s goal and increased Nuremberg’s lead to 2-0. Shortly afterwards, however, the Eagles were able to respond: With a lot of determination, Kris Bennett broke through on the left and shot uncompromisingly into the far corner. Mannheim scored the next goal in the 28th minute.
A good quarter of an hour later, it was Bennett again who kept Mannheim in the game, as the guests had recently increased the score to 3-1. Thanks to a perfect pass from John Gilmour, Kris Bennett was able to make it 2-3 in the 44th minute. Overall, however, the Eagles played themselves stuck too often and almost always lacked the final consequence offensively.
The Ice Tigers used their chances much more efficiently – and got through the Mannheim defense more easily. Cole Maier scored the 4-2 for the Ice Tigers in the 53rd minute and thus sealed the final result.
Double match day: Adler before game against Eislöwen Dresden
While the Ice Tigers climbed to ninth place in the table, the Eagles slipped from second to third place. However, the Mannheimers are heading to Dresden on Sunday. The Adler want to take revenge on the Eislöwen for their 5-2 home defeat shortly after the New Year and regain second place.
