DEL
Eisbären Berlin are German ice hockey champions for the tenth time
The Eisbären secured their tenth championship title with a 2-0 win in Bremerhaven. photo
© Carmen Jaspersen/dpa
The Eisbären Berlin are once again the measure of all things in the German Ice Hockey League. The former series champion was crowned champion for the tenth time on Friday.
Coach Serge Aubin’s team made it their tenth championship and third title within four years with a 2-0 (0-0, 0-0, 2-0) victory over the Fischtown Pinguins from Bremerhaven. A late goal from Leo Pföderl, who was outstanding in the final series (44th minute), put Berlin on course. For the 2018 Olympic silver medalist, it was already the eleventh points scorer in the final series, which only lasted five games. Manuel Wiederer (49th) secured the fourth win of the series five minutes later in a nerve-wracking and exciting fifth final game, which Berlin won 4-1.
The Eisbären, who did not make it into the playoffs after the 2021 and 2022 championships, have been champions in the DEL more often than any other team since it was founded 30 years ago. In the entire master list of German ice hockey, the Berliners caught up with SC Riessersee in terms of number of titles. Between 2005 and 2013, the Berliners won seven championships. Since the beginning of this decade they have been the dominant DEL team again.
Last game for Popiesch as Penguins coach?
Bremerhaven was in the final series for the first time ever. The runner-up is the best result in the club’s history. For Thomas Popiesch it was probably the last game as Penguins coach. The East Berlin native is set to move to the Krefeld Pinguinen in the second division next season.
Under Popiesch, Bremerhaven had always made it into the playoffs since joining the DEL in 2016. This season the Pinguins were the surprise team ever in the DEL and finished first in the main round. For the first time in ten years, the first place in the preliminary round did not end up becoming German champion.
Goalkeepers once again stand out
Bremerhaven fought back with all its might on Friday and gave the polar bears a tough fight. Both teams had great chances until the final third, but once again the goalkeepers Kristers Gudlevskis (Bremerhaven) and Jake Hildebrand (Berlin) stood out. After all, Bremerhaven went a third of the final series without conceding a goal for the first time.
However, the 4,637 spectators in the sold-out ice arena had to wait for the first goal in the second round. Gudlevskis in particular was now under fire. The Latvian, who was voted the best goalkeeper in the regular season, was also lucky when he shot against the post from Berlin.
As in all finals so far, Berlin took the lead again this time. Pföderl’s third final goal broke the ice. Five minutes later, Wiederer scored and the goal also stood up to the referees’ video review. This leadership brought Berlin confidently and safely over time.