The Eisbären Berlin stayed the course after the international break in the German Ice Hockey League (DEL) and extended their lead in the table.
The record champions won 3:2 (2:0, 1:1, 1:0) at the Augsburg Panthers, it was the fifth win from the last six games for the Berliners.
The Eisbären are at the top with 42 points, followed at some distance by the Fischtown Pinguins Bremerhaven (36). On Friday, the North Germans can reduce the score to three points again with a win at Adler Mannheim.
In the first game after the Germany Cup, Kai Wissmann (7th) and Blaine Byron (9th) established an early 2-0 lead. Marcel Noebels (37th) scored the third goal for the Eisbären, Augsburg reduced the deficit twice with Anrei Hakulinen (27th) and Luke Esposito (46th).
In the second game on Thursday, the Grizzlys Wolfsburg lost to the Schwenninger Wild Wings 3:4 (2:0, 0:1, 1:2, 0:1) after overtime. With the win, Schwenningen moved past Wolfsburg (both 31 points) and is now fifth.