Berlin & Brandenburg: After successes in Europe: Polar bears “optimistic”

Berlin & Brandenburg
After successes in Europe: Polar bears “optimistic”

16.09.2024, 10:22 a.m.

With victories against two top teams from the Czech Republic, the capital city team is gaining confidence for the upcoming DEL season. The newly signed newcomer Niemeläinen also gives cause for hope.

Berlin (dpa/bb) – The reigning champions Eisbären Berlin are going into the new season of the German Ice Hockey League (DEL) with confidence after strong performances in the European Cup. “I am optimistic,” said coach Serge Aubin on Sunday evening after the 3-0 win against Sparta Prague in the Champions Hockey League (CHL). “But we are remaining realistic. We know that we have a long journey ahead of us.” The capital city team will play against the Kölner Haie next Friday for the start of the DEL (7.30 p.m., live on Magentasport).

The Berliners had put in a convincing performance against Prague, just as they had two days earlier in the 3:2 penalty shootout win against Dynamo Pardubice. With eight points from the first four main round games, they now have the best chance of reaching the round of 16 of the CHL. Aubin’s interim conclusion was correspondingly positive. “I’m satisfied,” said the Canadian. “We’ve improved from game to game. I like where we are now before the start of the DEL.”

Stable defense as a plus point

The capital city team was particularly convincing in defence. The personnel situation in defence had previously given cause for concern. Korbinian Geibel, Marco Nowak and Rio Kaiser are three defenders who will be out for a few weeks due to injury.

The Eisbären reacted and signed the 1.97-year-old Markus Niemeläinen last Thursday, who has already played 43 games in the National Hockey League (NHL). The 26-year-old defender made a remarkable debut against Prague: With his early goal to make it 1-0, he put the Berlin team on course for victory, and then the Finn contributed to the strong defensive performance of the entire team. Coach Aubin also said he played a “superb game”.