The Adler Mannheim go into the final sprint with a win and a loss. On Sunday there was a bankruptcy against relegated Krefeld.
MANNHEIM – The Mannheimer Adler ended the main round of the German Ice Hockey League (DEL) with one win and one defeat. Coach Bill Stewart’s team won 4-1 at home against second-placed Wolfsburg Grizzliys on Friday evening, but on Sunday suffered a 2-3 (1-1) defeat after a shoot-out at bottom team Krefeld Pinguins.
Despite the negative experience before the playoffs, Coach Stewart was not dissatisfied. “In front of the opposing goal we didn’t have the luck with the shots that you need. But we work on the little things and develop creativity, I like that,” said the Canadian. Jordan Szwarz scored the Mannheim lead (7th), which Philipp Mass equalized (19th). Korbinian Holzer made it 2:1 (31st) for the Adler, but Krefeld equalized shortly before the end of the second period through Alexander Weiß to make it 2:2 (40th). The decision brought the penalty shootout. Lucas Lessio overcame Adler keeper Dennis Endras to make it 3-2 for Krefeld. “We conceded too many penalties, and Krefeld knew how to use that in overtime,” said Adler’s goalscorer Szwarz.
The Eagles played a very strong game against the Wolfsburg Grizzlys on Friday evening. Holzer (12th) scored the 1-0 for Mannheim. Tyler Gaudet equalized for Wolfsburg to make it 1:1 (35th) as. Ruslan Iskhakov (53rd) and Borna Rendulic 13 seconds later made the decision with a double majority. Matthias Plachta added the 4:1 (58th).
The Adler finished the main round in fifth place and meet the Straubing Tigers in the playoff quarterfinals, who have home advantage in the best-of-five series.
Adler Mannheim – Grizzlys Wolfsburg 4:1 (1:0, 0:1, 3:0). Goals: 1:0 Iskhakov (11:04), 1:1 Gaudet (34:51), 2:1 Iskhakov (52:40), 3:1 Rendulic (52:53), 4:1 Plachta (57:55). ). – Referee: Hoppe/Rantala (Frankfurt am Main/Finland). – Spectators: 8280. – Penalty minutes: 6:22.
Krefeld penguins – Adler Mannheim 3:2 n.V. (1:1, 1:1, 0:0). Goals: 0: 1 Black (6:55), 1: 1 Mass (18:42), 1: 2 Holzer (30:12), 2: 2 White (39:32), 3: 2 Lessio (61:35 ). – Referee: Kopitz/Reneau (Berlin/USA). – Spectators: 4318. – Penalty minutes: 10:16.
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