The Eisbären Berlin are champions again after a year’s break and are well on their way to a new era in the German Ice Hockey League. On Friday evening, coach Serge Aubin’s team secured 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. Bremerhaven was in the final series for the first time ever.
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 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. 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. The 4,637 spectators in the sold-out ice arena had to wait a long time for the first goal. 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.