The next big hit for the Iserlohn Roosters: The IEC also gave a worrying picture in Bremerhaven in the German Ice Hockey League.
On Thursday (October 19, 2023), Iserlohn lost to the Fischtown Pinguins Bremerhaven away 1:5 (0:0, 0:2, 1:3). The Bremerhaven goals were scored by Nicolas Appendino (23rd, 42nd), Jan Urbas (40th, 47th) and Skyler McKenzie (59th). Michael Dal Colle scored the IEC goal (55th).
Head coach Greg Poss’ team remains bottom of the table in the DEL. The Roosters are level on points with Düsseldorfer EG in second-to-last place, but have a significantly worse goal difference than the Rhinelanders.
Roosters goalie Jenike forced to make a lot of saves
It was a fairly even opening phase with a few shots on goal from both sides. As bottom of the table, the Roosters naturally had their sights set on something and attacked properly. Hunter Shinkaruk and Colin Ugbekile missed a promising double chance for Iserlohn shortly before the first period break.
However, Bremerhaven were more forceful in the game going forward and gained more speed. Roosters goalie Andreas Jenike, who was kept busy and put in an impeccable performance, made a very strong save against Urbas from close range and against Appendino from a longer distance.
The Penguins had the preponderance of chances, being stuck in the front section much more often than Iserlohn and winning an average of two out of three duels.
Sunday shot puts IEC behind
Bremerhaven continued to press in the second third. After the restart, the puck was quickly in the net, but the Fischtown attack department had stabbed Roosters goalie Jenike, as the video evidence showed (21st).
But then Appendino overcame Jenike to take the lead and put the target into the corner with a Sunday shot. Afterwards, Iserlohn lost further control and Taro Jentzsch (25th) had to go to the penalty box.
Iserlohn survived being outnumbered thanks to disciplined defense, but Bremerhaven was simply more active and consistent in this game. Accordingly, the North Germans’ second goal from Urbas in the follow-up after a Jenike save was okay.
Roosters forecheck without yield
At the end of the second third it was also clear: the Roosters’ forecheck simply didn’t produce any goals. Bremerhaven, on the other hand, stole the puck from Iserlohn six times in the attacking third alone. The IEC only fired seven shots, Bremerhaven 27. By the end of the game, this ratio drifted even further apart (37:9).
The final third brought no more surprises, Bremerhaven dominated, Appendino followed up again with the third Fischtown goal. Iserlohn struggled and then came up with more of his own shots.
But the little rebellion came too late, the game was over thanks to the second goal from Urbas, who hit another long-range shot into the net to make it 4-0. Dal Colle’s late consolation goal, played very well, was just a cosmetic result when Bremerhaven’s McKenzie made the final score.
