The Eisbären Berlin suffered a setback in the semifinals of the German Ice Hockey League (DEL).
On Sunday, the defending champion lost 3:5 (1:1, 0:1, 2:3) against the Adler Mannheim. In the best-of-five series, the Berliners are now only 2-1 in the lead. Frans Nielsen, Blaine Byron and Johan Södergran scored for the capitals, who conceded their first loss of the ongoing playoffs.
In front of 13,951 spectators, Markus Hännikäinen gave Mannheim the early lead. But the hosts found a quick answer: Nielsen equalized in the first power play. After that, the Berliners determined the encounter, but missed numerous scoring chances.
After the first break, the guests increased the pressure. The polar bears still lacked the necessary precision in attack, and they also allowed themselves some negligence on the defensive. So Nigel Dawes was able to score the second Mannheim goal without being pressed.
In the final section, the capitals pushed for an equaliser, but were unlucky in front of the goal. The Kurpfälzer, on the other hand, consistently exploited their opportunities: Nicolas Krämmer scored after the Berliners lost a puck, Dawes increased the power play.
Byron, outnumbered, was able to shorten again, but Dawes restored the old gap with his third goal. Södergran made the final score just before the end.
