In the race for the sixth and last direct playoff place in the German Ice Hockey League (DEL), the Fischtown Pinguins Bremerhaven missed the opportunity to make the necessary leap into the top group of the table.
The North Germans went down 1: 6 (0: 1, 1: 2, 0: 3) at ex-champion Düsseldorfer EG and were therefore unable to capitalize on the next bankruptcy of sixth-placed ERC Ingolstadt with 3: 4 (2: 1, 0 :3, 1:0) at the Adler Mannheim.
The Kurpfälzer, on the other hand, consolidated their place in the chasing group behind leaders Eisbären Berlin with their fourth win in a row. The same applies to the Grizzlies Wolfsburg with a 2:1 (1:0, 0:0, 1:1) at relegation candidate Schwenninger Wild Wings and Red Bull Munich with a 2:1 (0:1, 1:1, 0:0 , 1:0) after extra time at the Augsburg Panthers.
Even a 2-0 lead in Mannheim could not help Ingolstadt to end their negative series of five games without a sense of achievement. By the end of the middle third, the Eagles had turned the encounter in their favor. Borna Rendulic (33rd) marked Mannheim’s decisive goal.
Bremerhaven also hoped in vain for a trend reversal in Düsseldorf after three bankruptcies in a row. DEG, on the other hand, played itself into a frenzy and consolidated its pre-playoff rank with its second win in a row after three losses.
Wolfsburg’s goalscorers in Schwenningen were Trevor Mingoia (10′) and Anthony Rech (50′). After his problems in Augsburg during regular time, Munich made short work of the home side in extra time: After just 29 seconds, Zachary Redmond scored the winning goal for the guests and helped Munich to their sixth win in the past seven after their previous bankruptcy at bottom Krefelder Pinguine Play.