Cologne Sharks claimed victory in the 255th Rhine derby, defeating Düsseldorfer EG 7:4 and ending their losing streak. ERC Ingolstadt continued their dominance with a 4:1 win against the Straubing Tigers, marking their sixth straight win. Augsburg Panthers lost 2:4 to Schwenninger Wild Wings, while Berlin Bears fell to EHC Munich 3:2 in a shootout. Don Jackson returned as head coach of EHC Munich, expressing joy over the team’s performance, as they sit fifth in the standings.
Cologne Sharks Triumph in the 255th Rhine Derby
In a thrilling display of talent, the Cologne Sharks emerged victorious in the 255th Rhine derby of the German Ice Hockey League (DEL), successfully halting their recent slump. The Sharks, under the guidance of coach Kari Jalonen, secured a dramatic 7:4 win against Düsseldorfer EG, battling back from multiple deficits throughout the match. With this win, the KEC, currently positioned sixth in the standings, re-enters the race for playoff contention after three consecutive losses. Meanwhile, the strong-performing DEG, which had previously gained points in five of their last six matches, finds themselves in the second-to-last position.
Ingolstadt’s Winning Streak and Coaching Changes
Ingolstadt continues to dominate the league, with the ERC Ingolstadt team maintaining their impressive form. They celebrated their sixth consecutive victory with a convincing 4:1 win over the Straubing Tigers, solidifying their spot at the top of the league rankings. On the other hand, the Augsburg Panthers faced another setback, losing to the Schwenninger Wild Wings 2:4 despite a late attempt to stage a comeback.
Meanwhile, the Berlin Bears are grappling with challenges, finding themselves outmatched by EHC Munich once again. In a closely contested match that ended in a penalty shootout, Munich edged out the Bears 3:2, marking their second victory in Berlin this season. The Bears initially took the lead thanks to Frederik Tiffels but ultimately fell short as EHC turned the game around, with Christopher DeSousa scoring the decisive goal in the shootout.
Adding to the excitement, Don Jackson has made a surprising return as the head coach of EHC Red Bull Munich after Max Kaltenhauser stepped down unexpectedly. Jackson, who previously led the team to four championship titles, expressed his delight in the team’s performance, highlighting the victory as a significant achievement for both the players and himself. As of now, EHC sits fifth in the standings with 39 points, trailing the league leaders ERC Ingolstadt by five points.