DEL top teams do not fail

23 Jan 2012 | Dennis Mende

The best two DEL teams Eisbären Berlin and Ingolstadt both won their games. In the lower parts of the table EHC München and Augsburg had important wins on their way to reach the pre-playoffs. Straubing now is fifth in the table after the away win against Iserlohn.

Eisbären Berlin - Hamburg Freezers 3:0

In the top game of Sunday's DEL matches Eisbären Berlin won 3-0 against the Hamburg Freezers. Despite a clear superiority on the ice during the first period the result stayed close. In the 14th minute it was Florian Busch who opened the score for the hosts in a power play situation - the only succesful one in eight tries. In the middle period Hamburg was able to create a more even game but there were no goals. With 8:53 left on the clock Julian Talbot decided the game for the team from the German capital. With half a minute to play Barry Tallackson did an empty-netter for the 3-0 final score. Rob Zepp who saved all 27 shots on goal earned another shutout this season.

Krefeld Pinguine - ERC Ingolstadt 3:4

In the game between Krefeld and Ingolstadt the special teams became a key factor. Late in the first period Jared Ross brought the guests in front (16.) when his team was shorthanded. At the beginning of the middle period Krefeld was again in the power play and this time did it better as Herberts Vasiljevs tied the game (25.). At the end of the period Thomas Greilinger and Jeff Likens increased the lead to two for Ingolstadt within 32 seconds - the later one with a sixth attacker on the ice. Until the middle of the last period Patrick Hager in power play and Ben Ondrus tied the game again. The decisive goal came with 3:56 left on the clok by Thomas Greilinger who won the game for Ingolstadt with his second goal of the day.

EHC München - DEG Metro Stars 3:2 OT

In their fight for a pre-playoff spot EHC München and DEG Metro Stars had to wait long for their first goal. In the 26th minute David Wrigley opened the score for the hosts which was increased seven minutes later when Eric Schneider scored in the power play. WIth ony 17 seconds left to play in the middle period Evan Kaufmann cut the lead to one and five minutes before the end of the regular time he also tied the game. In the shootout Martin Buchwieser won the match for the Bavarians when he scored in his penalty shot attempt.

Augsburger Panther - Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg 5:3

In their match against Wolfsburg the Augsburger Panther once more showed their strength at home. Christian Chartier brought the hosts in front after eight minutes but one minute before the end of the period John Laliberte scored the equalizer for Wolfsburg. Around "half time" Norm Milley turned the game around for the Lower Saxons and this time Augsburg found the answer - a power play goal by Sean O`Connor (38.). Two fast goasl within 27 seconds brought the decision for Augsburg in the last period. Later Greg Moore even increased the lead to three. Patrick Pohl could only make the result look a bit more comfortable for the Grizzlies 31 seconds before the end of the regular time.

Iserlohn Roosters - Straubing Tigers 3:4 OT

In Iserlohn the Straubing Tigers continued with their good momentum of the last weeks despite a weak beginning and the fact that they lay back by two goals around "half time" of the game after goals by Colton Fretter and Jeff Cowan. After the second goal by Iserlohn the Straubing Tigers slowly found into the game and managed to score through Sandrö Schönberger. At the beginning of the last 20 minutes Sean Blanchard put the puck into the net for the 3-1 when the hosts looked like the clear winner. Goals by Alexander Dotzler and French international Laurent Meunier tied the game so that it went into overtime. There it was Calvin Elfring who scored the game-winner for the guests (62.).