The Eisbären Berlin could move into the semi-finals of the Champions Hockey League for the first time in Zurich on Tuesday. The German ice hockey champion gained much-needed self-confidence just in time.
There was no better time for a self-confidence-boosting result injection than on Sunday evening. Against their eternal rivals from Mannheim, the Eisbären Berlin won 5-2 in the German Ice Hockey League and showed a convincing performance both in terms of play and combat. “Our commitment was there, the boys showed character,” said coach Serge Aubin. “I’m really proud of how they stuck together.”
It was a much-needed improvement in performance after the disappointing past few weeks. The Eisbären previously lost five of seven games. The defeat in the quarter-final first leg of the Champions League (CHL) against the Zurich Lions was particularly frustrating. The Berliners were already leading 3-0 and quickly and inexplicably lost 3-4. “Looking forward, I hope that today was a little lesson for us,” said a disappointed center Marcel Noebels after the game.
Eisbären win heated duel against Mannheim
The Eisbären Berlin have ended their negative series in their own hall. After four recent defeats across all competitions, they won another home game against Mannheim and were able to move further away from the Adler in the table.more
A historic opportunity
This lesson shouldn't be that small. After all, the Eisbären could make history this season. Since the CHL was introduced in 2014, no German team has won the competition. The club has never been in the semi-finals. To do this, the German champions have to win against the current Swiss champions in Zurich (Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.). That will be challenging enough.
The “Zett” has a deep squad full of experienced and hardened players who – once they get rolling – are almost unstoppable. Compared to the last championship season, the squad has hardly changed. The heart of the game is the highly capable defense, which – once beaten – can still count on the strong Czech Simon Hrubec in goal. The two top scorers of the CHL season, Sven Andrighetto and Denis Malgin, are spinning in front.
Just don't let it get rolling
“Zurich is a team against whom you don’t want to concede a penalty and give them an advantage,” says Eisbären winger Ty Ronning. “They are very skilled and very fast. They are a team that can take control when they have that moment.”
The Berliners will try not to let the ZSC get rolling. Then the excellently staffed polar bears have a more realistic chance of progressing. “It’s about playing our style and maintaining that style for 60 minutes,” says Ronning. “It’s about intensity, hard work and doing everything you can to help the team win.”
It didn't scare me too much the way they played with us.
“Everything is possible,” says national player Leonhard Pföderl, who ultimately scored the decisive 3-2 against Mannheim and prepared three more goals. “It didn't scare me too much the way they played with us. We have to get everything out there, there's no question about it. But I’m going there now and I really want to go one step further.”
What is needed is a win with two goals after the 3:4 result in the first leg. If the Eisbären are ahead by one goal after three periods, there is a ten-minute overtime with sudden death. If no further goals are scored, there will be a penalty shootout.
Careless polar bears squander a home win against Zurich
The Eisbären Berlin suffered a 3-4 defeat against the ZSC Lions in the first quarter-final game of the Champions Hockey League. In the meantime, the Berliners were already clearly in the front, but the top guests came back.more
An outstanding bill?
Eisbären coach Aubin is also likely to be particularly motivated. Before he began his successful stint with three championships in five years in the capital, he was released in Zurich after half a season because of average performance. “It means nothing to me personally,” said the Canadian before the first duel. “It just means we have to play really good hockey.”
Playing good ice hockey – that would be essential even after progressing against the Zurich team. The next Swiss heavyweight is probably waiting in the semi-finals. Genève-Servette HC is the reigning Champions Hockey League winner and defeated the Fischtown Pinguins from Bremerhaven 4-0 in the quarter-final first leg. The path to the first CHL crown is still very long for the Eisbären – even if it is not impossible.
Broadcast: rbb24 Inforadio, December 16, 2024, 4:20 p.m
