Title hat-trick perfect: Eisbären Berlin are German champions again

As of: May 3, 2026 • 7:46 p.m

The Eisbären Berlin won the fifth final game of the DEL championship against the Adler Mannheim and successfully defended the title.

The Polar Bears Berlin have reached their goal: On Sunday the capital city team won 4:1 (1:0, 1:0, 2:1) at Adler Mannheim. The Eisbären also won the final series of the German Ice Hockey Championship 4-1.

For coach Serge Aubin’s team, it is the third DEL title in a row after 2024 and 2025 – and the twelfth overall in the club’s history.

In the Mannheim Arena, the teams fought an intense, fast-paced and high-class duel on the ice right from the start. Liam Kirk shot after just 30 seconds and narrowly missed the goal, shortly afterwards Frederik Tiffels also had a good shot from the left faceoff circle (6th). Eisbären goalie Jonas Stettmer parried against Leon Gawanke on the other side (7th).

Les Lancaster earned the first penalty of the afternoon in the 13th minute after cross-checking – but the Eagles were unable to capitalize on their first power play, with the post saving the Polar Bears from falling behind (14th).

Tiffels with World-class preparatory work for Ronning

Immediately before the end of the first third, the reigning champions took the lead: Frederik Tiffels stole the puck from Tobias Fohrler after an outstanding forecheck, provoked a penalty and passed it to Ty Ronning as he fell. The attacker went around Johan Mattsson and made it 1-0 (20th) with his 19th scorer point in the current DEL playoffs.

Always Kirk – and Stettmer

From Berlin’s perspective, the perfect finish in the first period was followed by a dream start to the middle third: Marcel Noebels fed Kirk, who made it 2-0 with his sixth goal in the fifth final game (22nd). Stettmer prevented the Eagles from scoring the next goal in direct response: Kris Bennett’s shots failed twice against the Eisbären goalie.

The home team also missed a quick counterattack in a two-on-one situation (23′). The guests from the capital also survived the second phase of being outnumbered – again after a penalty for Lancaster – unscathed.

The Eagles pushed for their first goal towards the end of the second period, but without being rewarded for their great effort. Again and again they despaired either of Stettmer – or of the beams. After 40 minutes played, the score remained 2-0 for the Eisbären.

Ronning and Mik make everything clear

In the first minutes of the third period, the Eisbären succeeded in an exemplary manner in keeping the Eagles away from their own goal – and at the same time increasing the pressure on their opponents.

The preliminary decision was made in the 44th minute: Tiffels provided the 60th playoff assist of his career to Ronning, who was ready to take a shot, who ice-coldly made it 3-0 and silenced the Mannheim supporters for the time being.

With 7:13 minutes left, the Eagles went “all in” and took goalie Mattson off the ice. Because Markus Niemelainen held the puck with his hands in the hustle and bustle, Mannheim was awarded a penalty. But Stettmer also defused this against Luke Esposito.

Stettmer named MVP

Eric Mik hit the empty net and made it 4-0 (58th). Marc Michaelis’ consolation goal to make it 1:4 came too late (59′).

The Eisbären Berlin are German ice hockey champions for the twelfth time. Goalie Stettmer was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the DEL playoffs after the game.

Broadcast: rbb24 Abendschau, May 3rd, 2026, 7:30 p.m

Audio: rbb24 Abendschau, May 3rd, 2026, Sebastian Meyer