The Straubing Tigers became the third team in the German Ice Hockey League to qualify early for the playoff quarter-finals. After the 2:1 (0:0, 1:0, 1:1) on Sunday against the Löwen Frankfurt, the Lower Bavarians can no longer be pushed out of the top six of the DEL three game days before the end of the main round.
The Fischtown Pinguins from Bremerhaven and the Eisbären Berlin had previously reached the playoffs. The Grizzlys Wolfsburg are also almost through after the 3:1 (3:0, 0:0, 0:1) at bottom of the table Augsburg.
The Swabians, on the other hand, increasingly have to fear relegation from the DEL. Augsburg still have four games left to leave the last place in the main round. The DEL bottom team will be relegated to the DEL2 if the second division playoff champion meets the economic requirements for promotion.
DEG benefits despite derby defeat in Cologne
The Düsseldorfer EG benefited from another Augsburg defeat despite a 2:3 (0:1, 2:1, 0:0) after a penalty shootout in the derby against the Kölner Haie. The point for the 2:2 after regular time meant the gap to Augsburg grew to six points. For the Haie, who have at least secured the pre-playoffs, there were two important points in the fight for direct playoff qualification.
After the 2:1 (1:0, 0:0, 2:1) against the champions EHC Red Bull Munich, the Nuremberg Ice Tigers have the pre-playoff qualification and thus remain in the league with a seven point lead and three games still to be played almost certain.
Polar bears and penguins win
The Eisbären Berlin maintained their place at the top of the table with a 6:4 (1:0, 2:2, 3:2) over the Iserlohn Roosters. Leonhard Pföderl scored two goals, and Zach Boychuk, Marcel Noebels, Frederik Tiffels and Manuel Wiederer also scored for the Berliners.
The Fischtown Pinguins Bremerhaven consolidated second place thanks to a 2:1 (1:0, 1:1, 0:0) win in Schwenningen. The Pinguins have played one game less than Berlin, both can no longer slip down to third place and have therefore secured qualification for the Champions Hockey League (CHL).