But the Cologne team went into this game of the 47th matchday with a new tailwind. Coach Uwe Krupp’s team only stopped a negative series of ten defeats in a row with a 4:3 win against the Iserlohn Roosters on Sunday.
Twice Zengerle – Berlin effective and ice cold
However, the polar bears were not impressed. She put the hosts under pressure from the start, and that was what happened with Berlin’s third chance: The favorite went through Mark Zengerle in front (6′), who deflected a low shot off the blue line from Frank Hördler and Haie goalie Tomáš Pöpperle overcame.
And even if the Cologne side – also benefited from a majority game – created their own chances, the guests still had the game under control, played confidently, as you would expect from a championship contender, and increased again just seven minutes after Zengerle took the lead after fine preliminary work by Blaine Byron to 0: 2.
Berlin masterfully
In the middle section, the now somewhat unsettled hosts crept in more and more inaccuracies, which the reigning champions exploited. Kevin Clark (23rd), Jonas Müller (25th) and Nicholas Jensen (31st) increased the result to 0:5.
With the courage of despair, the people of Cologne tried not to go under completely. They also created a few opportunities, but either the Rhinelanders failed because of guest goalie Mathias Niederberger or because of their own nerves, while the league leaders consistently used their chances.
Olver shortened outnumbered
In the final third it was now a matter of making the result bearable for Cologne. Outnumbered, of all things, Mark Olver made it 1:5 (45) after a fine pass from Landon Ferraro. Berlin was no longer as consistent as in the previous sections.
Cologne now had a strong phase of pressure – but the goal was made by the capital city. The 1: 6 by Matt White (54th) fell out of nowhere in this phase. In the final minute, White went one better to the 7-1, which was well deserved at this level.
Cologne next against the Wild Wings
The Haie continue on Friday with the game against the Schwenninger Wild Wings (7:30 p.m.), who were expecting the Iserlohn Roosters in their own hall on Tuesday evening at the same time as the Cologne game.
Iserlohn quickly 0:3 behind in Schwenningen
In a catch-up game on the 33rd day of the game, the Iserlohn Roosters didn’t want to oversleep the opening phase of the game against the Schwenninger Wild Wings, as they have done so often lately. But that failed miserably. After the first period, coach Kurt Kleinendorst’s team was 3-0 down due to goals from Tomas Zaborsky (2nd), Daniel Pfaffengut (9th) and Tylor Spink (16th).
But after just 50 seconds in the middle third, Joe Whitney scored the goal with the majority, and after 25 minutes the Iserlohn team were up again to make it 3:2 after a goal by Taro Jentzsch. But Zaborsky’s second goal (45th) set the tone for Schwenningen to win.
Bailey only manages the connecting gate
Casey Bailey gave the Roosters hope again shortly before the end with the 4:3 (58th minute). But in the end, Schwenninger’s narrow success remained.
Another away game, this time in Mannheim
The next task for the Roosters is the away game at the Adlern Mannheim on Friday (7.30 p.m.).