On Friday evening (02/11/2022) the Iserlohn Roosters after the Olympic break on foreign ice against runner-up Wolfsburg in overtime with 3: 2 (0: 0, 0: 1, 2: 1, 1: 0). The DEL had agreed with the clubs that games can also take place during the Winter Games in Beijing if the clubs agree on a date.
Concentrated start from Iserlohn in Wolfsburg
The Iserlohn goals in the catch-up game of the 42nd match day were scored by Taro Jentzsch (48′), Casey Bailey (58′) and Ryan O’Connor (62′) in extra time. Wolfsburg had previously taken the lead twice with goals from Phil Hungerecker (37′) and Gerrit Fauser (48′).
Iserlohn got off to a good start and gave the first signal after just under four minutes with O’Connor hitting the post from long-range. Wolfsburg, on the other hand, found it difficult to build up, but defended with discipline.
A disallowed goal, a post shot: Whitney in focus
And that was what it was all about. After chaos in the box, Roosters offensive player Whitney pushed in to make it supposedly 1-0 for the guests, but the referees had just seen Nick Schilkey hit Grizzly goalie Strahlmeier, who is said to have already had the disc for sure.
Iserlohn now turned it up. Whitney’s next attempt banged on the linkage – the Roosters developed clear advantages on foreign ice.
Wolfsburg meets strange and out of nowhere
The fact that the Sauerlanders were much better in the game was not initially rewarded. On the contrary, because Iserlohn conceded a curious goal out of nowhere.
First the loss of the puck by the IEC, then the fast attack by Wolfsburg – the puck bounced up after a long-range shot by Darren Archibald at Grizzly player Phil Hungerecker, over Jenike and from his back into the net.
But then: A mistake in Wolfsburg’s build-up game made a situation that had actually subsided hot again – Jentzsch was the name of the Iserlohn beneficiary. He met to equalize in the meantime.
With the emphasis on in the meantime. The jubilation didn’t last long. Sena Acolatse couldn’t get past Fauser, Wolfsburg promptly responded with the second goal.
Bailey saves Roosters into overtime
However, the IEC still worked out overtime: Bailey switched the fastest when the disc went behind the goal – Strahlmeier reacted an idea too late, the Iserlohner threw up his arms and celebrated the equalizer again, just under three minutes before the end of regular time. And O’Connor then secured the much acclaimed extra point.
For the Roosters, the duel with the Augsburg Panthers is on Sunday (4.30 p.m.) again. Iserlohn had already triumphed 2-1 in a passionate game at the end of January and thus successfully reported back to the DEL after a long forced break (corona cases).