For the twelfth time
Eisbären Berlin are German ice hockey champions
May 3, 2026 – 7:06 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Plagued by injury concerns, only started the title race in sixth place – and still ended up champions. How the Eisbären Berlin took the final step in Mannheim.
The Eisbären Berlin converted their second match puck against the Adler Mannheim and secured their twelfth championship in the German Ice Hockey League. The DEL record champion won the fifth game of the series away from home 4-1 (1-0, 1-0, 2-1) and took the decisive final step towards defending their title again with goals from double goalscorer Ty Ronning (20th/44th), Liam Kirk (22nd) and Eric Mik (58th). Shortly before the end, Mannheim only managed a consolation goal from Marc Michaelis (59th).
For a long time, this Berlin championship was considered the most unlikely because the capital club had to struggle with numerous injuries over the course of the season. Nevertheless, he qualified for the playoffs in sixth place and then had the upper hand against the Straubing Tigers, the main round first team Kölner Haie and now also against the Adler.
The Berliners showed off their qualities, especially in the first three finals against Mannheim. After the 4:3 win after extra time in the fourth duel, the Eagles were hoping for a historic turnaround and the end of their longing for the title. But this season it remains the same: no team in the DEL has yet been able to make up for a 3-0 series deficit.
In an intense game, both teams had chances in the early stages – Berlin had more and better chances in front of 13,600 spectators. But it took until the final minute of the first third before Ronning let the 600 Eisbären fans who had traveled along celebrate for the first time.
The second period could hardly have started better for the guests thanks to Kirk’s goal. On the other side, the Eagles missed a quick response because they lacked the ultimate accuracy in the passing game and couldn’t take advantage of a power-number situation.
Once again, Eisbären keeper Jonas Stettmer was the best man between the posts this afternoon. Berlin top performer Manuel Wiederer described his goalkeeper’s performance as “outstanding” and added to Magenta Sport that passion is “the way to the goal”.
Even in the final section, Berlin remained true to its style of play and acted in a rip-off manner. Ronning’s 3-0 win meant an early decision. The Mannheimers didn’t give up, even took the goalkeeper off the ice early and were awarded a penalty. But it didn’t help, Stettmer was there again – except for Michaelis’ 1:4. Before that, Mik scored into the empty goal for the Eisbären. The Eagles’ wait for their first championship since 2019 continues.
