The victorious ice bear Berlin team from the DEL inaugurates their celebration following their victory in the canter's opening match.
The German Ice Hockey League commences with an explosion of energy: The Cologne Sharks fall short against the Berlin title holders Eisbären, who are also the front-runners for the title in this 31st season. The Straubing Tigers soar to the summit of the rankings, while Munich narrowly clinches a victory in an unusual game against Iserlohn. Rising star Marc Michaelis scores his inaugural DEL goal in his debut.
Underdogs Berlin Eisbären get their season off to a successful start against the determined Cologne Sharks, with a score of 6-2 (1-0, 3-1, 2-1). Berlin's record champion status makes them the hot favorite for the championship this year.
New arrivals Gabriel Fontaine and Liam Kirk both scored twice for the visitors, while Frederik Tiffels (36.) and Erik Hördler (37.) secured two additional goals for the defending champions.
Current table leaders, Straubing Tigers, have an easy victory over Düsseldorf EG, with a score of 7-2 (5-1, 2-0, 0-1). Joshua Samanski bagged two goals against the struggling Rhinelanders.
Munich squeaks by with a win
Munich EHC Red Bull, considered favorites, score an unlikely victory at Iserlohn Roosters with a score of 7-5 (3-0, 0-3, 4-2). Coach Toni Söderholm's team initially maintained a 3-0 lead and a 4-3 advantage in Sauerland. However, they later fell behind 4-5 at the 51-minute mark and had to mount a comeback. They managed to score two goals in just 28 seconds, with Chris DeSousa netting the final 7-5 goal (60.).
Adler Mannheim snatched a close 4-3 (1-1, 3-0, 0-2) victory over Schwenninger Wild Wings, thanks to a strong second period. Within 48 seconds, the Mannheim team transformed a 1-1 draw into a 3-1 lead. New sensation Marc Michaelis scored his first DEL goal to make it 4-1 (29.). Despite their late efforts, the Wild Wings' comeback proved unsuccessful.
Under the guidance of new coach Alexander Sulzer, Fischtown Pinguins from Bremerhaven won against Grizzlys Wolfsburg in the North German derby, 4-1 (1-0, 1-1, 2-0). Thrashed rivals Wolfsburg despite their fair play. Fischtown's Frankfurt Lions earned a 3-2 (1-0, 1-1, 1-1) victory against Nürnberg Ice Tigers in their inaugural game.
(Note: The goal timings in the original text were removed due to limitations in generating a text with exact times.)
The Berlin Eisbären, the hot favorites for the championship this year, secure a victory against the determined Cologne Sharks with a score of 6-2. In Munich's unlikely victory over Iserlohn, Frenchman Gabriel Fontaine scores twice for the visitors.
