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The polar bears celebrate
Photo:
Andreas Gora / dpa
The Eisbären Berlin have secured the title of German ice hockey champion for the eighth time, making them the sole record champion of the German ice hockey league (DEL). The Berliners won the decisive third playoff final on Friday against outsiders Grizzlys Wolfsburg 2: 1 (1: 1, 1: 0, 0: 0). With that, the team of coach Serge Aubin decided the final series with 2-1 wins and won the duel for the 100th German ice hockey championship. The goals for the polar bears were scored by Mark Olver (2nd minute) and Leonhard Pföderl (24th), Mathis Olimb (3rd) had equalized in the meantime.
"It's awesome. I will particularly remember that, «said the 39-year-old captain Frank Hördler at Magenta Sport. “We lost the first game in every series, that almost became a motto for us. But the team never hung their head. «Winning goal scorer Leo Pföderl didn't even know» what to say. To be honest, I don't give a shit what tipped the balance in the end. The main thing is that we celebrate now. "
In this DEL season, which was shortened due to the coronavirus pandemic, only two instead of the usual four victories were necessary to advance in the respective playoff rounds and to win the title.
The Berliners had lost the first final game against Wolfsburg 2: 3 after extra time, but then reported back with a confident 4: 1 in Wolfsburg and prevented the first championship in the club history of Lower Saxony.
The polar bears were the first to complete the preliminary round group north, but the title favorites were Adler Mannheim and EHC Red Bull Munich from the south group.
But the Munich team was surprisingly already in the playoff quarter-finals, the Mannheim team then unexpectedly eliminated in the semifinals against Wolfsburg.
It is still unclear how the DEL will continue.
Last year, the season at the beginning of the pandemic was canceled after the main round without a master's freestyle.
Back then it was unthinkable for clubs that are dependent on audience income to play without an audience.
The league was only able to start a significantly shortened season a week before Christmas because the players waived, in some cases, large parts of their salaries and public support.
It is still unclear when the audience can play again.
The new season should actually start in September.
krä / sid / dpa
