Eisbären Berlin impress at the DEL start

Defending champion Eisbären Berlin has had a perfect start to the new season in the German Ice Hockey League (DEL).

The club from the capital beat the ambitious Cologne Sharks 6:2 (1:0, 3:1, 2:1). The record champions were also considered the big favorites for the championship in the 31st DEL season.

New signings Gabriel Fontaine and Liam Kirk scored twice for the visitors. The other Berlin goals were scored by national strikers Frederik Tiffels (36th) and Erik Hördler (37th).

Straubing shoots down Düsseldorf

The Straubing Tigers are the first to lead the table. Last season’s playoff semi-finalists beat Düsseldorfer EG 7:2 (5:1, 2:0, 0:1) and are currently in first place. Joshua Samanski scored two goals against the desolate Rhinelanders.

Co-favorite EHC Red Bull Munich won a strange match against the Iserlohn Roosters with 7:5 (3:0, 0:3, 4:2). The team of former national coach Toni Söderholm squandered a 3:0 and a 4:3 lead in the Sauerland. After 51 minutes, the Munich team were even behind 4:5. Then the Söderholm team turned the match around again with two goals within 28 seconds. Chris DeSousa scored the final score of 7:5 (60th).

National player Michaelis scores on DEL debut

Thanks to a good second period, the Adler Mannheim managed a narrow 4:3 (1:1, 3:0, 0:2) win against the Schwenninger Wild Wings. Within 48 seconds, the Mannheim team turned a 1:1 into a 3:1. Top newcomer Marc Michaelis increased the lead to 4:1 with his first DEL goal (29th). The Wild Wings’ comeback came too late.

With new coach Alexander Sulzer, runner-up Fischtown Pinguins from Bremerhaven defeated the Grizzlys Wolfsburg. In the northern duel, the seaside town team deservedly won 4:1 (1:0, 1:1, 2:0). Sulzer came in the summer to replace Thomas Popiesch, who left the northern Germans for Krefeld after eight years.

The Löwen Frankfurt started against the Nürnberg Ice Tigers with a 3:2 (1:0, 1:1, 1:1).

Augsburg wins in Opening game

The Augsburger Panther, who were almost relegated, had already started the new season of the German Ice Hockey League (DEL) with a win on Thursday (19.09.24). The team, who were bottom of the table for the past two seasons, defeated ERC Ingolstadt 3:2 (1:0, 0:0, 1:2, 1:0) after overtime in the opening game on Thursday.

After a long stalemate, the Swabians were only spared from relegation because the respective second division champions had not applied for admission to the DEL.

Kunyk makes the decision

New signing Cody Kunyk scored the early lead for the hosts in front of 6,179 spectators at the Curt Frenzel Stadium (7th minute). After that, the guests dominated the game, but were repeatedly thwarted by the new, strong goalkeeper Strauss Mann. Alex Breton only managed to equalize eight minutes before the end, but just twelve seconds later Riley Damiani scored to make it 2-1 for Augsburg. Philipp Krauß forced extra time (56th minute), and Kunyk made the decision with his second goal (63rd minute).

Very first DEL game 30 years ago at the same place

30 years ago, a new era began for German ice hockey. In the very first DEL game, NHL veteran Bobby Hull threw the first puck in, but Augsburg, as second division champions, lost clearly 1:6 to the last Bundesliga title holder Hedos Munich, who had renamed themselves the Maddogs.

Three and a half months later, the champions were bankrupt – and the new league had its worst-case scenario. In the meantime, the DEL has stabilized economically and achieved record numbers of spectators and total revenue in its anniversary season.