The Kölner Haie set an exclamation point in the playoff fight of the German Ice Hockey League (DEL) on Sunday (02/12/2023) and won against leaders Munich. Master Berlin presented itself frighteningly weak at the last DEL.
The Haie prevailed 4-2 (2-0, 1-0, 1-2) in Munich and increased the pressure on the grizzlies Wolfsburg fighting for sixth place. Cologne legend Moritz Müller put the Domstadters ahead in the fourth minute, Andreas Thuresson made it 2-0 shortly before the end of the first period. Then Munich pushed, but Cologne countered ice cold: Nick Baptiste used a blunder by Munich’s goalie Matthias Niederberger to make it 3-0 (38th).
However, the Munich team continued to defend themselves, while the Haie repeatedly made dangerous counterattacks. Almost six minutes before the end, Munich scored their first goal of the evening through Patrick Hager, which was given after video evidence. The EHC followed suit and got through to the goal Zach Redmond (59th) and risked everything. Munich took out the goalkeeper – conceded that Empty net goal through Louis Marc Aubry (60th).
Embarrassing gossip for the polar bears
Defending champions Eisbären Berlin presented themselves in a most embarrassing way and received the next severe setback in the league basement. At the designated relegated Bietigheim Steelers Coach Serge Aubin’s team lost 2:6 (1:3, 0:0, 1:3) and conceded their fourth defeat in five games. The polar bears are only 13th in the table, so they are practically eliminated from the playoff race. Bietigheim, who only celebrated their seventh win this season, is about to be relegated to the DEL2.
The Augsburg Panthers meanwhile suffered a 1:3 (1:0, 0:1, 0:2) defeat against the Grizzlys Wolfsburg and, like Bietigheim, must slowly plan to move into the second division. ERC Ingolstadt, third in the table, lost to the Iserlohn Roosters 1:2 (0:0, 1:1, 0:0, 0:0, 0:1) after a penalty shootout, Nuremberg celebrated 7:3 (3:2, 1:0, 3:1) a shooting match against Schwenningen.
DEG wins after a penalty shootout
DEG also celebrated an important success on Sunday evening – they also had to lose a point at the Löwen Frankfurt in a 2-1 ((1-1, 0-0, 0-0, 0-0, 0-1) after a penalty shoot-out In the first third, Chad Nehring put Frankfurt ahead in the second minute, Bernhard Ebner (7th) equalized for DEG After that, only the two goalkeepers shone before finally Mikko Kousa converted the decisive penalty for Düsseldorf .