Tag: DEL

Joonas Nättinen joins Iserlohn Roosters in DEL

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Joonas Nättinen has joined Iserlohn Roosters, continuing his career in Germany with the DEL club after captaining Ilves last season.

The 35-year-old forward played 50 games for Ilves last term, recording three goals and nine assists for 12 points. Iserlohn sporting director Franz-David Fritzmeier said Nättinen had shown he could shoulder responsibility at the highest level and handle pressure, adding that the club expects him to lead on the ice.

Nättinen will be reunited with Peter Quenneville, who also represented Ilves last season. The Canadian has made the strongest points start among Iserlohn players, with two goals and four assists in eight games.

Key Facts

  • Joonas Nättinen has signed for DEL club Iserlohn Roosters after last season with Ilves.
  • Nättinen captained Ilves last season and posted 3+9=12 in 50 games.
  • Iserlohn sporting director Franz-David Fritzmeier said Nättinen is expected to provide leadership on the ice.
  • Nättinen was part of Finland’s Olympic gold-medal team in 2022 and has played one NHL game.
  • Former Ilves player Peter Quenneville is already at Iserlohn, where he has 2+4=6 through eight games.

IHM Discussion

Iserlohn have added a forward with significant experience of high-pressure hockey. Nättinen’s production at Ilves was limited last season, but the Roosters are bringing him in with an expectation that he can contribute more than points alone.

Fritzmeier’s emphasis on responsibility, pressure management and versatility sets out the role the club sees for Nättinen. His arrival also gives him an immediate connection within the dressing room through Quenneville, his former Ilves team-mate.

Why It Matters

The move takes a recent Liiga captain into the DEL and reunites two players from last season’s Ilves squad. For Iserlohn, Nättinen’s experience includes Olympic gold with Finland in 2022 as well as a brief NHL appearance, while Quenneville has already supplied six points in eight games for the German club.

Wolfsburg host Krefeld in Ladies Night fixture

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Grizzlys Wolfsburg host the Krefeld Pinguine on Thursday evening in a DEL fixture at the Eis Arena, with the occasion staged as the club’s Ladies Night.

Tyler Haskins’ Wolfsburg side return home 11 days after their 4-1 victory over Adler Mannheim. They have won three of four matches on home ice so far and have not lost there in regulation time.

Krefeld arrive following their return to the PENNY DEL after four years away. The promoted side have won four of their opening eight games and sit eighth in the table. Their squad includes former Wolfsburg players Alexander Weiß, the captain, and Phil Varone, while Marcel Müller and Philip Gogulla bring considerable DEL experience.

Haskins said Krefeld’s positive start means Wolfsburg must be alert to errors. He stressed that his team need to follow their game plan consistently across the full match if they are to be difficult to beat.

Key Facts

  • Grizzlys Wolfsburg host the Krefeld Pinguine at the Eis Arena on Thursday, with face-off scheduled for 7.30pm.
  • The game is being held as Wolfsburg’s Ladies Night.
  • Wolfsburg beat Adler Mannheim 4-1 in their previous home fixture, 11 days before the Krefeld match.
  • The Grizzlys have won three of their four home games and remain unbeaten in regulation time on home ice.
  • Krefeld returned to the PENNY DEL after four years away and have four wins from eight games, leaving them eighth in the table.
  • Krefeld’s penalty kill has operated at 87.5 per cent.
  • Juha Jatkola has a 92.5 per cent save percentage and Felix Bick a 91.6 per cent save percentage for Krefeld.
  • Matt Santos has opened the season with seven goals and six assists, while Max Newton has three goals and nine assists.
  • Krefeld defenceman Davis Vandane is among the players carrying the highest average ice time.
  • Alexander Weiß and Phil Varone are former Wolfsburg players now in the Krefeld squad.

IHM Discussion

This is a useful early-season test of two clearly defined strengths. Wolfsburg’s home results have been built on consistency, while Krefeld have arrived in the top division with enough structure to win half of their first eight matches.

The visitors’ special-teams and goaltending numbers give the fixture added weight. An 87.5 per cent penalty kill, supported by strong save percentages from Jatkola and Bick, suggests Krefeld have been able to protect leads and absorb pressure. Wolfsburg therefore face a match in which patient execution may matter as much as the energy generated by a home crowd.

There is also genuine familiarity within the opposition. Weiß and Varone know Wolfsburg from their previous spells with the club, while Müller and Gogulla add further DEL experience to a Krefeld group that has adapted quickly following promotion. Haskins’ warning about avoiding mistakes is directly relevant against a side with established scoring contributors in Santos and Newton.

Why It Matters

For Wolfsburg, the fixture is an opportunity to build on a productive home start without overlooking a promoted opponent that has already established itself in the league’s top eight.

For Krefeld, it is another measure of how their early return to the PENNY DEL translates against a side that has been hard to beat in regulation at home. Their defensive record offers a credible platform, while Santos and Newton have supplied enough offence to ensure Wolfsburg cannot focus solely on containment.

The game also carries a local event dimension through Ladies Night, giving Wolfsburg a themed home occasion alongside an important league fixture.

Mini Q&A

When do Wolfsburg play Krefeld?

Wolfsburg host Krefeld on Thursday at 7.30pm at the Eis Arena.

How have Wolfsburg performed at home this season?

The Grizzlys have won three of four home matches and have not lost in regulation time on home ice.

What has driven Krefeld’s early DEL start?

Krefeld have won four of eight games, with an 87.5 per cent penalty kill, strong save percentages from Juha Jatkola and Felix Bick, and scoring from Matt Santos and Max Newton.

What Comes Next

The next confirmed checkpoint is Thursday’s 7.30pm face-off between Wolfsburg and Krefeld at the Eis Arena.

IHM Final View

Wolfsburg enter with a strong regulation-time home record and the recent 4-1 win over Mannheim behind them. Krefeld, however, arrive with four victories from eight games, a reliable penalty kill, well-supported goaltending and leading scorers producing early. The defining question is whether Wolfsburg can maintain the disciplined, full-game execution Haskins has demanded against a promoted side that has made a credible start.

Fischtown Pinguins add Eugen Alanov up front

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Fischtown Pinguins have signed Eugen Alanov in response to an increasingly difficult injury situation in Bremerhaven. The 31-year-old forward arrives to add options in attack after the club also lost Nino Kinder to injury.

Alanov brings extensive PENNY DEL experience, with 364 regular-season appearances, 43 goals and 78 assists. Sporting director Sebastian Furchner said Kinder’s absence had further intensified an already challenging personnel position, prompting the club to seek a short-notice addition.

The Kazakhstan-born forward, who holds a German passport, has previously played in Germany’s top division for Düsseldorfer EG, Nürnberg Ice Tigers, Iserlohn Roosters and Löwen Frankfurt. Bremerhaven believe his league knowledge, work rate and ability to be used in different forward roles can help cover the gaps created by their absences.

Key Facts

  • Fischtown Pinguins have signed 31-year-old forward Eugen Alanov.
  • The move follows an injury-hit spell for Bremerhaven, with Nino Kinder among the unavailable players.
  • Alanov has played 364 PENNY DEL regular-season games, recording 43 goals and 78 assists.
  • His previous top-flight German clubs are Düsseldorfer EG, Nürnberg Ice Tigers, Iserlohn Roosters and Löwen Frankfurt.
  • Alanov was born in Kazakhstan and holds a German passport.
  • Sporting director Sebastian Furchner said the club moved when the opportunity arose to bring Alanov to Bremerhaven at short notice.
  • Furchner highlighted Alanov’s versatility, familiarity with the DEL and willingness to join the team in its current circumstances.

IHM Discussion

This is a practical response to a squad problem rather than a move built around long-term projection. Bremerhaven have sought a player who already understands the demands of the PENNY DEL and can enter an environment affected by multiple injury absences without needing to learn a new league.

Alanov’s value to the Pinguins begins with that familiarity. His 364 regular-season appearances represent a substantial body of experience across several DEL organisations, while his 43 goals and 78 assists show that his contribution has included both finishing and creating. Those totals should be read as career production rather than a guarantee of a particular role in Bremerhaven, but they establish him as an experienced attacking option.

Furchner’s explanation also makes the immediate context clear. The club had already been dealing with absences before Kinder became unavailable, and that additional loss led Bremerhaven to revisit the market. The decision was therefore tied directly to present squad availability, with Alanov brought in to give the coaching staff another forward to work with.

His readiness to move promptly mattered. When injuries disrupt a group, a new signing must first become familiar with teammates, systems and everyday routines. A player with Alanov’s DEL background cannot remove that adjustment process, but he arrives with knowledge of the competition and its sporting demands. That is the basis for Bremerhaven’s belief that he can offer useful cover and added depth in attack.

Why It Matters

Bremerhaven’s injury situation has created a need for numbers as well as experience. Adding Alanov gives the Pinguins another established forward at a time when Kinder’s injury has compounded their personnel concerns.

The significance is not confined to one absent player. Furchner described the squad position as difficult even before Kinder’s setback, so the signing provides an additional option while the club manages several injury-related absences. Alanov’s previous experience at four DEL clubs gives Bremerhaven a player accustomed to the league’s standard and schedule.

For Alanov, the move presents another opportunity in Germany’s top division after a career spent across Düsseldorf, Nuremberg, Iserlohn and Frankfurt. For the Pinguins, the immediate aim is to use his flexibility and league experience to strengthen an attack whose depth has been affected by injuries.

Mini Q&A

Why have Fischtown Pinguins signed Eugen Alanov?

Bremerhaven signed Alanov after their injury situation worsened, including the loss of forward Nino Kinder. The club wanted an additional attacking option at short notice.

What is Eugen Alanov’s DEL record?

Alanov has played 364 PENNY DEL regular-season games and has recorded 43 goals and 78 assists.

Which DEL clubs has Alanov represented previously?

He has previously played for Düsseldorfer EG, Nürnberg Ice Tigers, Iserlohn Roosters and Löwen Frankfurt.

Coach Mark Comment

The coaching value in this addition is flexibility during a period of reduced availability. An experienced forward who can be deployed in different roles gives a staff more scope when constructing lines around injury absences. Alanov’s established DEL background should also help him understand the competition’s demands as he works into Bremerhaven’s group.

What Comes Next

The next checkpoint is Alanov’s integration into the Bremerhaven squad and how quickly he can become an option in the Pinguins’ coming games. The club have signed him specifically to help address their current injury-related gaps in attack.

IHM Final View

Fischtown Pinguins have acted to reinforce their forward group after injuries further tightened their squad. Alanov arrives with a sizeable record of DEL experience, a German passport and a career that has taken him through four other top-flight German clubs. The immediate task is straightforward: settle into the group and provide Bremerhaven with another dependable attacking option while they manage their absences.

Fischtown Pinguins lose Nino Kinder to injury

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Fischtown Pinguins Bremerhaven will be without forward Nino Kinder for the immediate future after he suffered an injury on Sunday. Following medical examinations completed on Monday, sporting director Sebastian Furchner said Kinder is expected to be sidelined until the Deutschland Cup break.

Furchner indicated that an especially lengthy absence is not currently anticipated, although the Pinguins must plan without the forward for now. The injury raises Bremerhaven’s number of longer-term absentees to eight players.

If his recovery proceeds as hoped, Kinder could return to the squad for the away game against Löwen Frankfurt on 13 November. That remains dependent on his rehabilitation.

Key Facts

  • Nino Kinder suffered an injury on Sunday.
  • Medical examinations were completed on Monday.
  • Sporting director Sebastian Furchner expects Kinder to be absent until the Deutschland Cup break.
  • Bremerhaven now has eight players facing longer-term absences.
  • Kinder could return for the 13 November away fixture against Löwen Frankfurt if his recovery goes to plan.

IHM Discussion

The immediate priority for Bremerhaven is managing another absence within an already stretched group. Kinder’s projected timeline offers some encouragement because Furchner does not expect an especially prolonged lay-off, but the club cannot yet treat the 13 November match in Frankfurt as a confirmed return date.

The number of longer-term absentees is now eight, leaving the Pinguins to navigate the period before the Deutschland Cup break without another forward. The key detail is the conditional nature of Kinder’s possible return: it relies on his recovery progressing as planned after the medical assessment.

Why It Matters

Kinder’s absence adds to Bremerhaven’s personnel pressure at a time when eight players are already set for longer spells out. Even with an indication that the injury may not keep him out for an extended period, the Pinguins must cover the short-term loss in their forward group.

Mini Q&A

How long is Nino Kinder expected to be out?

Sebastian Furchner expects Kinder to miss time until the Deutschland Cup break.

When could Kinder return for Fischtown Pinguins?

If his rehabilitation progresses as hoped, he could return for the away game against Löwen Frankfurt on 13 November.

How many longer-term absentees do the Pinguins have?

Kinder’s injury takes Bremerhaven’s number of longer-term absentees to eight.

Straubing sign Pantkowski after Bugl injury

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Straubing Tigers have responded to Florian Bugl’s long-term absence by signing fellow German goaltender Mirko Pantkowski from Löwen Frankfurt. Bugl, 24, was injured during the home game against Iserlohn Roosters and was forced to leave the ice early.

Medical examinations identified a lower-body injury, with the Tigers saying Bugl will be unavailable for the coming weeks. No precise timetable for the 24-year-old’s return has been announced.

Pantkowski, 28, arrives to provide cover and additional security in Straubing’s goaltending group during Bugl’s absence. The Kassel-born netminder played 32 games for Frankfurt last season, posting an.882 save percentage.

Key Facts

  • Florian Bugl suffered a lower-body injury during Straubing’s home game against Iserlohn Roosters and did not finish the match.
  • The 24-year-old Tigers goaltender is expected to miss the coming weeks, although no exact return date has been given.
  • Straubing have signed 28-year-old German goaltender Mirko Pantkowski from Löwen Frankfurt.
  • Pantkowski made 32 appearances for Frankfurt last season and recorded an 88.2 per cent save percentage.
  • Pantkowski has previously played in the DEL for Adler Mannheim, Düsseldorfer EG, Kölner Haie and Löwen Frankfurt.
  • Sporting director Jason Dunham said Straubing needed to add short-notice security at goaltender because of the current personnel situation.

IHM Discussion

This is a direct response to a significant disruption in Straubing’s net. Bugl’s injury removes the club’s regular starting goaltender for an unspecified spell, and the Tigers have acted by bringing in a player with substantial DEL experience rather than leaving their depth exposed.

Pantkowski’s recent workload in Frankfurt gives Straubing a goaltender who has been active at league level. His career stops in Mannheim, Düsseldorf, Cologne and Frankfurt also mean he arrives familiar with the demands and opposition of the DEL. The immediate task is integration into a new dressing room and goaltending group while Bugl recovers.

Why It Matters

Goaltender injuries can quickly test a club’s available depth, particularly when the absence is described as long-term. Straubing have addressed that need with a signed replacement rather than relying solely on their existing options.

For Pantkowski, the move creates an immediate opportunity to contribute after his 32-game season with Frankfurt. For Bugl, the important detail remains unchanged: the Tigers have not set a firm timeframe for his return from the lower-body injury.

Mini Q&A

Why have Straubing signed Mirko Pantkowski?

Straubing signed Pantkowski after Florian Bugl suffered a lower-body injury that is expected to keep him out for the coming weeks.

What did Mirko Pantkowski do last season?

Pantkowski played 32 games for Löwen Frankfurt last season and posted an 88.2 per cent save percentage.

When will Florian Bugl return?

No exact timetable has been announced for Bugl’s return.

Coach Mark Comment

Adding an experienced goaltender promptly is a sensible stabilising measure when a regular starter is facing an unclear recovery period. The value of Pantkowski’s arrival is not only his DEL background, but the extra operational cover it provides while Straubing manage Bugl’s absence.

IHM Final View

Straubing have moved quickly to protect their goaltending depth after Bugl’s injury. Pantkowski brings proven DEL experience and recent game action, while the duration of Bugl’s recovery remains the central unanswered factor.

Four CHL Play-off Places Still Open Before Game Day 6

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

The Champions Hockey League regular season reaches its final Game Day with four places in the Round of 16 still to be decided. After five Game Days of the 2026/27 campaign, seven teams remain in contention for those four remaining play-off positions across a 12-game programme.

Twelve clubs have already secured their places in the Playoffs, but Game Day 6 also carries significance at the top of the regular-season table. HC Pilsen, Kölner Haie, Dynamo Pardubice and Skellefteå AIK are the four highest-ranked teams entering the final round and each still has an opportunity to add points in the contest for the Regular Season Winners crown.

The opening day of Game Day 6 includes six fixtures, beginning with KooKoo Kouvola against Adler Mannheim in Finland at 17:30 CEST. Dynamo Pardubice host Växjö Lakers at Enteria Arena at 18:00 CEST, while GKS Tychy meet Tappara Tampere in Poland and HK Nitra face Rögle Ängelholm in Slovakia at the same time.

Frölunda Gothenburg play Bordeaux Boxers in Sweden at 19:00 CEST, with Skellefteå AIK hosting Red Bull Salzburg in another 19:00 CEST face-off. With qualification, seeding and the regular-season lead all still relevant, the final round leaves little room for clubs to treat points as a secondary concern.

Key Facts

  • Seven teams are competing for the final four available places in the CHL Round of 16 after five Game Days of the 2026/27 regular season.
  • Twelve teams have already qualified for the Playoffs.
  • HC Pilsen, Kölner Haie, Dynamo Pardubice and Skellefteå AIK are the four top-ranked teams entering Game Day 6.
  • Game Day 6 comprises 12 scheduled games.
  • KooKoo Kouvola play Adler Mannheim at 17:30 CEST, while Dynamo Pardubice face Växjö Lakers at 18:00 CEST.
  • GKS Tychy play Tappara Tampere and HK Nitra meet Rögle Ängelholm, both at 18:00 CEST.
  • Frölunda Gothenburg face Bordeaux Boxers and Skellefteå AIK play Red Bull Salzburg, both at 19:00 CEST.
  • The first tie-breaker for clubs level on points is the greater number of regulation-time wins; total wins are second and goal difference is third.

IHM Discussion

The final regular-season round is carrying two distinct pressures. For the seven teams chasing the final four qualification places, the immediate objective is clear: earn enough from Game Day 6 to finish inside the Round of 16 positions. For the clubs already through, the remaining games still matter because the regular-season standings have not been reduced to a formality.

That applies particularly to HC Pilsen, Kölner Haie, Dynamo Pardubice and Skellefteå AIK. The four leading sides have one final chance to improve their points totals in the race for the Regular Season Winners crown. Dynamo and Skellefteå are also among the teams in action on the opening day, ensuring that the top of the table remains part of the final-round narrative rather than a separate contest.

The format also means that teams cannot assess their situation through points alone. The Champions Hockey League’s tie-break sequence begins with regulation-time wins, followed by total wins, goal difference, goals scored, away-game points and away goals. Only after those measures does draw-pot position come into play. In a compact six-game regular season, that ordering gives the manner of victory added importance when teams are level in the standings.

There is a similar consequence for clubs already qualified. A point added in the final round can still affect their regular-season placing, while a regulation victory is more valuable in the first tie-breaker than an overtime or shootout win. The standings therefore remain live across more than the four open qualification positions.

Why It Matters

Four of the 16 Round of 16 places remain unclaimed, so Game Day 6 will complete the qualification picture for the next stage. The 12 teams already through are not simply waiting for the field to be filled: their final regular-season positions remain subject to the points earned in the concluding games.

The tie-break rules make the final round especially important where clubs finish level on points. Regulation wins are the first separator, ahead of total wins. Goal difference and goals scored can then become relevant, followed by away-game points and away goals. Those details give every goal and every route to victory potential significance in a final-round schedule.

At the top, HC Pilsen, Kölner Haie, Dynamo Pardubice and Skellefteå AIK retain a direct stake in the Regular Season Winners crown. At the qualification line, seven teams are competing for four places. The final round therefore has consequences for both access to the Round of 16 and the order in which the qualified teams finish the regular season.

Mini Q&A

How many CHL Round of 16 places are still available?

Four places remain available, with seven teams still in the race after five Game Days.

Which teams lead the CHL regular-season standings entering Game Day 6?

HC Pilsen, Kölner Haie, Dynamo Pardubice and Skellefteå AIK are the four top-ranked teams entering the final round.

What is the first CHL tie-breaker for teams level on points?

The first tie-breaker is the greater number of wins in regulation time, defined as three-point wins.

When do Dynamo Pardubice play Växjö Lakers?

Dynamo Pardubice play Växjö Lakers at 18:00 CEST at Enteria Arena.

Coach Mark Comment

The defining coaching challenge in a final-round league phase is discipline around game state. The CHL tie-break order gives regulation wins priority, so teams level on points must understand that the value of a result is not always identical once the standings are applied. That does not change the need to manage risk, but it does make clear communication on late-game decisions essential.

For sides already qualified, the task is equally practical: retain competitive sharpness while pursuing the strongest possible regular-season position.

What Comes Next

Game Day 6 will conclude the CHL regular season through 12 scheduled fixtures. The six opening-day games listed are KooKoo Kouvola versus Adler Mannheim, Dynamo Pardubice versus Växjö Lakers, GKS Tychy versus Tappara Tampere, HK Nitra versus Rögle Ängelholm, Frölunda Gothenburg versus Bordeaux Boxers and Skellefteå AIK versus Red Bull Salzburg. Once the final-round results are recorded, the remaining four Round of 16 qualifiers and the final regular-season order will be determined using the stated points and tie-break criteria.

IHM Final View

The final CHL regular-season round has a clear competitive shape: four Round of 16 places remain open, while the leading clubs still have points to pursue at the summit. With regulation wins leading the tie-break sequence, Game Day 6 is not merely a final chance to qualify. It is the point at which the full order of the 2026/27 regular season will be settled.

Berlin blank Bremerhaven as Pinguins lose 3-0

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Eisbären Berlin handed the Fischtown Pinguins Bremerhaven a 3-0 defeat after a tightly contested match in which the home side created numerous chances but could not find a finish.

The opening period ended goalless despite danger at both ends. Bremerhaven carried the stronger territorial impression and several of the better opportunities, with Kinder, Miele and Conrad among those threatening, while Berlin created openings through Krestan, Vikingstad, Ronning and Tiffels. The goaltenders and missed finishes kept the score at 0-0 at the first interval.

Berlin took control of the scoreboard in the middle period. Frank Hördler? No. Wissmann scored at 30:51 and Eder followed at 31:39, giving the visitors a 2-0 lead in the space of 48 seconds. Bremerhaven had previously been unable to capitalise on an advantage after a delayed penalty against Berlin, while Bruggisser was denied on three attempts in the 27th minute. A later scramble in front of the Berlin goal also brought no reward, with the puck judged to have struck the post.

The Pinguins continued to press in the third period, but Bruggisser again hit the post in the 42nd minute. Gudlevskis then made a notable save in a one-on-one situation against Foudy to keep Bremerhaven within reach. Head coach Sulzer withdrew his goaltender after 56:37, only for Manual Wiederer to score into the empty net in the 57th minute and complete Berlin’s 3-0 victory.

Key Facts

  • Eisbären Berlin defeated the Fischtown Pinguins Bremerhaven 3-0.
  • The first period finished 0-0 despite chances for both sides.
  • Wissmann opened the scoring at 30:51 of the second period.
  • Eder made it 2-0 at 31:39, 48 seconds after Wissmann’s goal.
  • Bruggisser was denied on three attempts during a delayed penalty against Berlin in the 27th minute.
  • Bremerhaven could not convert the ensuing power play.
  • Bruggisser struck the post in the 42nd minute after another Pinguins push.
  • Gudlevskis stopped Foudy in a one-on-one chance in the third period.
  • Sulzer pulled the Pinguins goaltender after 56:37.
  • Manual Wiederer scored an empty-net goal in the 57th minute.

IHM Discussion

This was not a one-sided 3-0 result. Bremerhaven were competitive from the opening face-off, generated sustained offensive moments and had enough looks to make the first interval uncomfortable for Berlin. The home side’s problem was not a lack of access to dangerous areas; it was the absence of a decisive touch when chances arrived.

That distinction became sharper in the second period. The Pinguins had a potentially important sequence when Berlin faced a delayed penalty, with Bruggisser testing the visitors three times before the power play followed. Bremerhaven did not score in either phase. Berlin then turned a scoreless contest into a two-goal lead in 48 seconds through Wissmann and Eder. Those were the defining moments of the match because they changed the task facing a home side that had already seen promising attacks stopped or go unfinished.

The third period showed that Bremerhaven did not retreat from the contest. Their effort to find a route back continued, and Bruggisser’s post in the 42nd minute was another example of how narrow the margins were around the Berlin net. Gudlevskis’ one-on-one stop against Foudy also mattered, preserving Berlin’s advantage when the Pinguins still had a realistic chance to reduce the deficit.

Once Sulzer removed the goaltender late on, Bremerhaven committed fully to creating an extra-attacker opportunity. Wiederer’s empty-net finish ended that pursuit and supplied the final 3-0 scoreline. Berlin’s clean sheet therefore rested on both their two-goal burst in the middle period and the work done to withstand Bremerhaven’s earlier and later pressure.

Why It Matters

The match underlined how quickly a close contest can be decided when one side converts a short run of opportunities. For much of the opening period, Bremerhaven were able to match Berlin’s pace and create chances of their own. Yet the game remained scoreless, leaving every missed opportunity more significant once Berlin found a breakthrough.

Berlin’s two goals in 48 seconds created separation without changing the fact that Bremerhaven continued to compete. The Pinguins’ inability to score on their delayed-penalty sequence, the subsequent power play and later chances meant that they never gained the goal that might have altered the shape of the final period. The empty-net goal was decisive in the result, but the crucial scoreboard damage had already been done in the middle period.

For Berlin, the shutout reflects a complete defensive outcome rather than simply a quiet night for Bremerhaven’s attack. Gudlevskis was required to make important interventions, including the one-on-one save on Foudy, while the post also denied Bruggisser. The visitors combined timely scoring with the ability to protect their lead when the home side continued to push.

Fan Pulse

Supporters from both sides were drawn into a match played at high intensity from the first minute. Bremerhaven’s fans had reason to believe a breakthrough was coming as the Pinguins created chances in the opening period and again in the third. There was even a moment of celebration during a crowded sequence in front of the Berlin net in the second period, before the officials correctly ruled that the puck had hit the post.

The eventual 3-0 score will feel unforgiving for a home side that had territorial spells and several high-quality looks. The crowd saw a competitive performance, but Berlin’s finishing in the middle period and their late empty-net goal ensured that those encouraging passages did not become goals.

Mini Q&A

What was the final score between Bremerhaven and Berlin?

Eisbären Berlin won 3-0 against the Fischtown Pinguins Bremerhaven.

Who scored Berlin’s goals?

Wissmann scored at 30:51, Eder at 31:39 and Manual Wiederer added an empty-net goal in the 57th minute.

When did Berlin take control of the game?

Berlin moved from 0-0 to a 2-0 lead in 48 seconds during the second period, with goals from Wissmann and Eder.

Coach Mark Comment

The central coaching lesson is the value of staying composed after a missed power-play opportunity. Bremerhaven had attacking momentum around the delayed penalty in the second period, but Berlin scored twice shortly afterwards. In a scoreless game, that is precisely the phase in which defensive detail has to remain intact even when a team believes it has control of the play.

Bremerhaven’s late goaltender withdrawal was a clear attempt to create a final attacking surge. It was a necessary response to a two-goal deficit, but it also left the empty net available for Wiederer’s clinching goal. The more important tactical issue had arrived earlier: Berlin were clinical in their brief scoring window, while the Pinguins could not convert their own pressure into a first goal.

IHM Final View

Berlin emerged with a 3-0 win, but the score followed a competitive match rather than a straightforward procession. Bremerhaven had chances in every stage of the game and twice struck the post, yet could not turn pressure into a goal. Wissmann and Eder supplied the decisive second-period scoring burst, and Wiederer’s empty-netter completed a disciplined Berlin result.

Frankfurt Win Shootout Thriller in Ingolstadt

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Löwen Frankfurt secured two important points in the battle for playoff places with a 3-2 shootout win away to ERC Ingolstadt. Maksim Matushkin converted Frankfurt’s decisive attempt as the sixth shooter after an intense match remained level through overtime.

Goaltender Adam Scheel was central to the visitors’ result, making 34 saves and producing several key stops as Ingolstadt pressed for a winner. Frankfurt twice led through Timo Kose and Austin Wagner, but Riley Barber replied on both occasions for the Panthers.

The visitors had the better finish in the shootout, extending a successful weekend after their derby victory against München on Friday.

Key Facts

  • Löwen Frankfurt defeated ERC Ingolstadt 3-2 after a shootout in the DEL.
  • Adam Scheel made 34 saves for Frankfurt and stopped a two-on-zero chance during a scoreless first period.
  • Timo Kose gave Frankfurt a 1-0 lead in the 32nd minute after winning possession at the blue line and driving through the Ingolstadt defence.
  • Riley Barber equalised two minutes later, scoring from Nicolas Schindler and Emil Kvernmo Wasenden.
  • Austin Wagner restored Frankfurt’s lead in the 47th minute after a precise pass from Linus Fröberg.
  • Barber made it 2-2 in the 57th minute and was later denied by Scheel on a chance to put Ingolstadt ahead.
  • An apparent Ingolstadt overtime goal was disallowed following video review because of Matthew Wedman’s contact with goaltender Devin Williams.
  • Maksim Matushkin scored Frankfurt’s deciding shootout goal as the club’s sixth shooter.
  • Frankfurt will host the Straubing Tigers on Friday at 19:30 before welcoming the Iserlohn Roosters on Sunday at 14:00.

IHM Discussion

Frankfurt’s win was built on resilience rather than control of every phase. Ingolstadt created sustained pressure, particularly after Frankfurt’s two leads, and held a clear advantage at the face-off dot. The visitors nevertheless stayed patient, took their opportunities when they arrived and received a decisive performance from Scheel.

Kose’s opener came from an individual play that changed the flow of the second period. Ingolstadt answered quickly through Barber, but Frankfurt again found a route in front when Fröberg picked out Wagner early in the third. That second lead could not be protected to the finish of regulation, as Barber found space for his second goal, yet Frankfurt did not unravel during the late pressure.

The overtime sequence was especially significant. Ingolstadt had a potential winner removed after review, while Frankfurt carried a power play into the extra period following a late Kenny Agostino penalty. Neither side found the decisive goal before Matushkin settled the shootout. It was a close contest in which the Frankfurt netminder and the visitors’ composure in the defining moments made the difference.

Why It Matters

The result gives Frankfurt two points from a difficult away fixture and strengthens their position in the contest for playoff places. It also underlines the value of their goaltending in a game where Ingolstadt repeatedly forced the visitors to defend under pressure.

Frankfurt showed that they could respond after both Ingolstadt equalisers. That mattered as much as the shootout finish: Kose and Wagner supplied the regulation goals, Scheel prevented the hosts from taking over late, and Matushkin delivered when the match reached its final one-on-one test.

Mini Q&A

Who scored the winning goal for Frankfurt?

Maksim Matushkin scored the decisive shootout goal as Frankfurt’s sixth shooter.

Who scored Frankfurt’s regulation goals?

Timo Kose scored in the 32nd minute and Austin Wagner scored in the 47th minute.

How did Adam Scheel perform?

Scheel made 34 saves, including a stop on a two-on-zero chance in the first period and a late save on Riley Barber.

Why was Ingolstadt’s overtime goal disallowed?

The goal was overturned after video review because Matthew Wedman made contact with Ingolstadt goaltender Devin Williams.

Coach Mark Comment

Frankfurt’s most encouraging feature was their ability to remain connected defensively after losing momentum. Ingolstadt’s face-off advantage and late territorial pressure created difficult sequences, but Frankfurt continued to protect the middle and relied on Scheel to handle the chances that broke through. The team also converted two controlled attacking moments into goals, with Kose creating one himself and Fröberg supplying Wagner for the other.

In a road game that reached overtime, discipline in the final details is often decisive. Frankfurt had to withstand Barber’s second equaliser, a disallowed overtime goal at the other end and further chances around the net. They stayed in the match long enough for their shootout depth to matter.

What Comes Next

Frankfurt’s next stated fixtures are at home: the Straubing Tigers visit on Friday at 19:30, followed by the Iserlohn Roosters on Sunday at 14:00.

IHM Final View

Frankfurt left Ingolstadt with a hard-earned 3-2 shootout victory after a match defined by swings in momentum. Scheel’s 34-save performance gave the visitors the platform to stay level during Ingolstadt pressure, while Matushkin’s sixth-round finish ensured that Frankfurt’s two regulation leads were ultimately rewarded.

Wild Wings seek steadier route back to form

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

The Schwenninger Wild Wings enter a demanding PENNY DEL weekend seeking a step-by-step response to their difficult start. They visit the Kölner Haie on Friday before hosting EHC Red Bull München at the Helios Arena on Sunday, with head coach Steve Walker asking his side to find greater consistency rather than overhaul its game.

Alexander Karachun, recently back with the team after injury, has said the group remains united despite the results. The Wild Wings’ immediate emphasis is on bringing their positive passages together across the full 60 minutes: winning individual battles, managing the puck more reliably and applying their existing system with greater discipline.

Joacim Eriksson is confirmed to start in goal in Cologne. All available Schwenningen players will travel to the Domstadt, while the coaching staff continue to weigh their line combinations against Köln’s physical style and dangerous power play.

Key Facts

  • Alexander Karachun has recently returned to the Wild Wings squad following injury and says the team remains united.
  • Steve Walker wants Schwenningen to build confidence through smaller successful moments, including won battles, blocked shots and good changes.
  • Against Straubing, the Wild Wings trailed 0-3 before winning the final period 2-1.
  • Training has again focused on puck management and the consistent execution of tactical instructions.
  • Walker said Schwenningen have not always put pucks deep enough into the opposition zone, making their forecheck harder to establish.
  • The Wild Wings do not intend to change their basic playing idea; the focus is on executing it more reliably, particularly with many new players in the group.
  • Friday’s game in Cologne is the first meeting between the clubs since last season’s play-off quarter-final.
  • Köln beat Herning Blue Fox 3-0 on Wednesday for a fifth win in five Champions Hockey League games.
  • In the DEL, Köln followed a 2-4 home defeat to München with a 6-3 win away at Ingolstadt.
  • Walker highlighted Köln’s physicality, offensive quality and power play, and said avoiding unnecessary penalties will be important.
  • München have recently won 4-2 in Cologne and 4-2 against Augsburg, taking six points over the previous weekend and moving into the league’s top four.
  • Joacim Eriksson will start in goal for Schwenningen in Cologne.

IHM Discussion

This is a deliberately narrow response from Schwenningen. Walker is not presenting a new tactical identity or offering a quick fix; the stated objective is to make the team’s current approach more dependable from shift to shift. That distinction matters in a weekend containing two opponents who can punish loose details in different ways.

The Straubing game provides the useful reference point. Recovering after a 0-3 deficit and taking the final period 2-1 does not erase the earlier damage, but it gives the Wild Wings an example of the competitive level they want to sustain. Karachun’s step-by-step framing fits that message. The task is not to solve every problem in one night, but to connect better puck decisions, more controlled changes and more consistently won confrontations.

Köln present an immediate discipline test. Walker’s concern about the Haie power play makes unnecessary penalties especially costly, while his comments on getting pucks deep show how closely Schwenningen’s attacking pressure is tied to execution. If entries or dump-ins do not reach the right areas, the forecheck cannot be established as intended and the opposition can move the puck out more easily.

München then arrive after recent improvement and with their special teams described as stable in both man-advantage and penalty-killing situations. For Schwenningen, the weekend is therefore less about chasing a broad narrative and more about producing a recognisable level of detail against two high-level opponents.

Why It Matters

The Wild Wings are trying to regain stability in a phase when confidence has been affected at both ends of the ice. Their response is practical: reduce avoidable errors, make their forecheck function through better puck placement and create momentum from repeatable plays.

That approach will be examined quickly. Köln enter Friday’s game with Champions Hockey League momentum and a power play Walker specifically identified as a threat. München follow after two recent DEL wins, with special teams also a stated strength. Schwenningen’s ability to keep the game at five-on-five where possible, and to execute their own structure for longer spells, is central to the challenge described by their coach.

Mini Q&A

Who will start in goal for Schwenningen in Cologne?

Joacim Eriksson is confirmed to start for the Wild Wings in Cologne.

What has Schwenningen focused on in training?

The focus has been on puck management and the consistent execution of tactical instructions, including getting pucks deeper into the opposition zone to support the forecheck.

Why is discipline important against Köln?

Steve Walker highlighted Köln’s dangerous power play and said the Wild Wings must avoid giving the Haie unnecessary man-advantage opportunities.

Coach Mark Comment

The coaching emphasis is soundly rooted in controllable details. A team trying to restore its game does not need every shift to create a scoring chance; it needs clean puck placement, connected pressure and enough discipline to avoid giving an opponent’s power play repeated opportunities. Against Köln, that makes the first action after possession changes particularly important. The Wild Wings have identified their preferred structure, so the immediate coaching task is to make its execution clear and repeatable across the whole bench.

What Comes Next

Schwenningen’s next stated checkpoint is Sunday’s home game against EHC Red Bull München at the Helios Arena. Before that, München are scheduled to host ERC Ingolstadt on Friday, while the Wild Wings travel to Köln with Eriksson set to begin in goal.

IHM Final View

Schwenningen’s weekend begins with no promise of an instant turnaround, but with a clear internal standard. Karachun and Walker have pointed to unity, small successful plays and greater consistency within the team’s established system.

Julius Karrer handed one-game DEL suspension

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Julius Karrer will miss Nürnberg Ice Tigers’ forthcoming home game against Adler Mannheim after the PENNY DEL disciplinary committee issued the defenceman with a one-game suspension.

The sanction relates to a Rule 50 violation, concerning knee checking, during Nürnberg’s game against Eisbären Berlin on 4 October 2026. Karrer has also received a fine, although no amount was specified.

In setting out its decision, the disciplinary committee said Karrer made no attempt to avoid or reduce the contact. It also found that he made no effort to play the puck and accepted the risk of injuring his opponent.

Key Facts

  • Nürnberg Ice Tigers defenceman Julius Karrer has received a one-game suspension from the PENNY DEL disciplinary committee.
  • The suspension concerns a Rule 50 knee-checking violation during Nürnberg’s game against Eisbären Berlin on 4 October 2026.
  • Karrer was also fined, with no financial amount stated.
  • The committee said Karrer did not attempt to avoid or minimise the contact.
  • It further found that Karrer made no effort to gain possession of the puck and accepted the risk of injuring the opposing player.
  • Karrer is unavailable for Nürnberg’s forthcoming home game against Adler Mannheim.
  • Nürnberg will be without another defenceman for the Mannheim fixture as a result of the decision.

IHM Discussion

The ruling is specific in its assessment of the play: the disciplinary committee identified both the nature of the contact and Karrer’s lack of an attempt to play the puck or lessen the collision. The one-game ban removes the Nürnberg defenceman from the next fixture, while the accompanying fine forms part of the sanction.

For the Ice Tigers, the immediate consequence is a further defensive absence for the visit of Mannheim.

Why It Matters

Karrer’s absence applies directly to Nürnberg’s next home fixture against Adler Mannheim. The disciplinary finding also records that the committee regarded the play as involving avoidable contact away from an attempt to win the puck, rather than simply imposing a suspension without explanation.