Champion Eisbären Berlin has cemented its lead in the German Ice Hockey League (DEL) with a resounding victory. The capitals celebrated a 7:1 (2:0, 3:0, 2:1) against the reeling Kölner Haie, who have now lost eleven of their last twelve games.
In further games on Tuesday, the Fischtown Pinguins Bremerhaven lost 2:3 (1:0, 1:3, 0:0) against pursuers Straubing Tigers in a direct duel for a play-off spot. Tail light Iserlohn Roosters lost 3:4 (0:3, 2:0, 1:1) at the Schwenninger Wild Wings.
In Cologne, Frank Hördler opened the scoring after five minutes for the guests, who came off the ice victorious against the Haie for the eighth time in a row. Marcel Noebels, who failed early with the German national team at the Olympic Games in Beijing a week ago, prepared four goals for the polar bears.
The Berliners are now eight points ahead of runner-up Grizzlys Wolfsburg. The eight-time champion from Cologne still occupies the last pre-playoff place, but the Rhinelanders played five more games in the season, which was characterized by corona-related transfers, than the pursuers Augsburger Panther.