Copyright: dpa
Hard-fought game between the Eisbären Berlin and the Kölner Haie at the start of the playoff on Sunday (April 10, 2022).
Hot phase in the DEL: At the start of the playoffs, the Kölner Haie put up a brave fight against champions Eisbären Berlin, but lost just under 1:2. Now the balance is to come in game two in the Lanxess Arena.
Now the Kölner Haie need their X-Factor! At the start of the playoffs on Sunday (April 10, 2022), the KEC kept the duel against Eisbären Berlin open until the last second, only narrowly losing 2-1. In the best-of-five series, however, nothing is lost.
In the second duel on Tuesday (7:30 p.m., tickets for the game in the Lanxess Arena are still available on the Haie website), the Haie want to start the turnaround in the quarter-final series with the support of the fans behind them. “We’re trying to play hard, intense ice hockey, we want to use our speed and we did that today,” praised Alexander Oblinger and already focused on the next duel: “We have to do it for 60 minutes, then we have a chance to stand and win.”
Kölner Haie lose the thread in the second third
Although some loyal supporters made their way to the capital on Sunday (April 10, 2022), the KEC lacked the support of a full Lanxess Arena. This should become a factor in game two! Nevertheless, the Haie put up a decent fight: they were trailing 0:2 for a long time, but showed morale and after the late goal they had hoped for extra time.
Copyright: dpa
The moment of impact: Marcel Nobels scored on April 10, 2022 to make it 1-0 for Eisbären Berlin against Kölner Haie.
The start was on fire: Alex Oblinger and Jonas Müller flew fists after just three minutes after the Berliner extended his arm at the rink. Both of them could hardly be separated from the referees and had to leave the ice for two minutes each. Cologne even had the best opportunity in the goalless first third with a double chance that Eisbär goalkeeper Mathias Niederberger brilliantly defused.
In the second half of the game, however, the Kölner Haie got a cold shower after less than a minute: the puck was lost deep in their own half, the Eisbären switched quickly and scored through Marcel Noebels to take a 1-0 lead. Ten minutes later, the Berliners followed suit: Leo Pföderl held his bat in a low shot just before the goal and spooned the puck through Carl Neill’s legs into the net.
Kölner Haie suddenly back against strong Berliners
Apart from a few dropouts, the KEC played a serious away game, but above all left the majority situations unused. “One noticed that the people of Cologne are already in the thick of things. It took a while for us,” said Eisbären attacker Leo Pföderl appreciatively of the performance of the Haie, who were already full of juice from the pre-playoffs.
At times, the Haien were missing Maxi Kammerer, who was treated for a long time after being hit in the face, but then bravely continued. “I think my nose is broken, but I can breathe, that’s okay,” he said bravely at MagentaSport. In the final section of the game, the game tumbled on for quite a long time, the Berliners managed their two-goal lead. But then it was suddenly the turn of the KEC again!
Niederberger was unable to hold on to a powerful shot by Lucas Dumont, David McIntyre was there and in the 54th minute shot away from close range. Fetched for the last nearly two minutes Uwe Krupp (56) keeper Justin Pogge from the ice, brought a sixth field player. There was one last big chance, but the KEC was no longer able to force the equalizer.
Kölner Haie want to eliminate Master Eisbären Berlin
In the run-up to the duel, the Berliners once again tried to verbally underpin their role as favorites. “We are happy that it is finally starting. The opponent doesn’t matter. We want to beat everyone,” said defender Kai Wissmann (25). But there was no sign of the expected clear superiority. Instead, the Sharks put up a tough fight with the defending champion.
The KEC was particularly happy about the additional chance after a long DEL main round. That was only within reach again at the end of the season due to the rising form curve. Now the sharks have tasted blood. FC coach Steffen Baumgart (50) also gave good wishes before the duel, although the Berliner by choice made no secret of his sympathy for the polar bears. (bc)
