The Kölner Haie made a statement at the start of the playoff quarterfinals in the German Ice Hockey League.
The sixth in the main round surprisingly won the first game of the best-of-seven series 4-0 (1-0, 3-0, 0-0) at the Adler Mannheim. Despite a number of good chances, Mannheim, third in the preliminary round, was unlucky in the first of a maximum of seven games. Four wins are necessary to advance to the semi-finals.
“It just can’t be. We’re not consistent enough, especially in the playoffs,” complained Mannheim national player Taro Jentzsch on the internet broadcaster MagentaSport. After the end of the second period, Adler coach Bill Stewart even replaced national keeper Felix Brückmann and brought in Arno Tiefensee, but that was no longer of any use either. “We just weren’t good enough,” complained captain Denis Reul.
On the other hand, many things went well for the Haie, who had already been the team with the best form in the league at the end of the main round. “If we play our system 100 percent, we can beat anyone,” said goalkeeper Mirko Pantkowski. David McIntyre scored two goals for Cologne.
In addition, the Straubing Tigers won 5:3 (1:0, 2:3, 2:0) against the Grizzlys Wolfsburg. This duel, in which a particularly close and long series is expected, was much more balanced. Both teams played intensively, physically and acted on an equal footing. Match winner was Jason Akeson with one goal and one assist.
The other two quarter-final series Ingolstadt against Düsseldorf and Munich against Bremerhaven start on Wednesday.
