Penguins avoid premature descent
The two-time German champion Krefeld Pinguine has the theoretical chance of remaining in the class in the German ice hockey league. The bottom of the table won in a direct duel against the penultimate Schwenninger Wild Wings 3:2 (2:1, 0:0, 0:1) with a goal in the last second of extra time.
In front of 2,543 spectators, after two goals by Maximilian Gläßl (11th/19th minute), it looked like three points for Krefeld for a long time. After Max Görtz (4th) scored a goal, the visitors equalized again in the final third through the Swede (42nd) and thus got a point. Jeremy Bracco secured the enthusiastically acclaimed second additional point for Krefeld with the last action of extra time.
relegation? Krefeld’s chances are more of a theoretical nature
Despite the victory, the chances of the DEL founding member being saved, which has been top-flight without interruption since being promoted to what was then the Bundesliga in 1991, are slim. Already on Wednesday, the champion of 1952 and 2003 should also score points at the Adler Mannheim and also in the two games that follow until the end of the main round on Sunday. At the same time, Schwenningen or the third from last Iserlohn would have to lose all games.
This year, for the first time since 2006, a sporting relegation from the DEL will be determined. At that time, the Kassel Huskies had to play in the second division. In the event of relegation, Krefeld’s managing director Sergej Saveljew had already announced that he would go before the DEL arbitration board.
Because of the many game cancellations due to the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting different number of games in the individual clubs by the end of the main round, the point quotient decides on the placement. The Krefeld team will play all 56 games by Sunday, but Schwenningen only 55 and Iserlohn only 54. The KEV feels this is unfair.
Source: sid/dpa