Story Summary
Eisbären Berlin travel to ERC Ingolstadt on Friday, 30 October, for their final away fixture before the PENNY DEL pauses for the Germany Cup.
Berlin arrive as DEL leaders with 29 points from 12 league games, having won 10 times. ERC Ingolstadt are sixth on 20 points after 13 matches, following a sharp turnaround from a four-point return across their opening six fixtures.
The game also carries personal significance for Eisbären head coach Éric Dubois, who joined Berlin in the summer after previously serving as an assistant coach at Ingolstadt.
Key Facts
- The PENNY DEL will pause from 2 November for around a week and a half because of the Germany Cup.
- Eisbären Berlin visit ERC Ingolstadt on Friday, 30 October, with a 19:30 face-off scheduled.
- Berlin lead the DEL with 29 points after winning 10 of their first 12 league games.
- Ingolstadt sit sixth with 20 points from 13 games after taking only four points from their opening six fixtures.
- ERC Ingolstadt beat EHC Red Bull München 5-1 and Adler Mannheim 3-2 after overtime during their recent improvement.
- Ingolstadt’s four-game winning run ended with a 6-2 defeat away to Fischtown Pinguins.
- Éric Dubois was an ERC Ingolstadt assistant coach before becoming Eisbären Berlin head coach in the summer.
- Berlin will wear pink special jerseys and pink Burgermeister helmets for the final time as part of Pink in the Rink 2026.
IHM Discussion
This fixture brings together a Berlin side that has made an early statement at both ends of the ice and an Ingolstadt team that has recovered strongly from a poor start. The Panthers have already shown they can produce significant results, including wins over München and Mannheim, but their defeat at Bremerhaven halted four straight victories.
For Berlin, the trip is the final competitive task before the interruption. Their 10 wins have put them clear at the top of the table, with their attacking threat accompanied by a compact and stable defensive record. Dubois returns to a club he knows well, although the immediate focus is a demanding road match against a side sitting in the upper third of the standings.
Why It Matters
The Germany Cup pause makes this Berlin’s last opportunity to take league points on the road before the break. It is also a direct test of their position at the top of the DEL against an Ingolstadt side whose recent results have carried it back towards the leading group.
Ingolstadt have moved from four points in six matches to 20 points in 13, so Berlin will face a team with recent evidence of its quality rather than one defined solely by its opening run.
Fan Pulse
Pink in the Rink 2026 concludes in Ingolstadt, where Berlin will again wear their pink special jerseys and Burgermeister helmets. The helmets have already been auctioned, while the original game jerseys are due to be auctioned for the same charitable cause. The final pink-kit appearance gives the away fixture an added identity beyond its place in the league calendar.
Mini Q&A
When do Eisbären Berlin play ERC Ingolstadt?
Eisbären Berlin play at ERC Ingolstadt on Friday, 30 October, with face-off at 19:30.
Why is this game significant for Éric Dubois?
Éric Dubois was an assistant coach at ERC Ingolstadt before joining Eisbären Berlin as head coach in the summer.
Where do Berlin and Ingolstadt stand in the DEL?
Berlin lead the DEL with 29 points from 12 games, while Ingolstadt are sixth with 20 points from 13 matches.
Coach Mark Comment
Dubois going back to Ingolstadt as Berlin’s head coach gives this one a natural edge, but the useful part is that he knows the setting rather than needing to discover it on the night. Familiarity can help with the small details around an away game, yet it does not change what Berlin have earned through 10 wins: they have put themselves in a position where every opponent will measure itself against them. Ingolstadt’s recent recovery means there will be no soft landing before the break.
What Comes Next
Eisbären Berlin face ERC Ingolstadt on 30 October before the PENNY DEL pauses from 2 November for the Germany Cup.
IHM Final View
Berlin head to Ingolstadt as league leaders, but the Panthers’ climb to sixth and their recent four-game winning streak give the final away game before the break real weight. It is a notable return for Dubois and the closing event of Berlin’s Pink in the Rink campaign.