Champion Eisbären Berlin got rid of their last worries about relegation in the German Ice Hockey League (DEL) on Sunday (February 5th, 2023).
The third from bottom in the table prevailed on the 50th matchday against pursuers Augsburger Panther 4:2 (1:0, 2:1, 1:1). While Augsburg’s gap to the saving bank continues to grow due to the defeat in the basement duel, the polar bears kept their remaining chances of making the playoffs. With two goals, Matt White was the match winner for the Berliners, who had previously suffered three defeats in a row.
Setback for the grizzlies
In the fight for a direct playoff spot, the Wolfsburg Grizzlies suffered an unexpected setback. Lower Saxony comfortably led 3-0 at newly promoted Löwen Frankfurt after 17 minutes, but still lost 3-4 (3-0, 0-1, 0-3).
Munich with an easy victory
Table leader Red Bull Munich has apparently overcome its mini-crisis in the DEL. The runners-up defeated the Fischtown Pinguins Bremerhaven 5:2 (1:0, 3:1, 1:1), it was the second win in a row for Munich after three previous defeats.
In the top game, Adler Mannheim won 2-1 (0-0, 1-0, 0-1, 1-0) at ERC Ingolstadt after extra time and pushed Bayern out of second place in the table. Behind them is the Düsseldorfer EG, which clearly won 6:2 (2:0, 1:2, 3:0) against the Nuremberg Ice Tigers.
The bottom of the table, the Bietigheim Steelers, celebrated their first win after six consecutive defeats with a 6-4 (2-1, 2-1, 2-2) win over the Iserlohn Roosters. The Steelers are still at the bottom of the table.