For the first time since May 2, the polar bears were able to report a sold-out Mercedes-Benz Arena on Sunday afternoon. While last time it was about the preliminary decision for the German championship against Red Bull Munich, the 14,200 spectators were offered a simple main round game against the Grizzyls Wolfsburg. The most recent winning streak, which grew to four games won in a row thanks to the 6: 4 (3: 1, 2: 2, 1: 1), apparently attracts more visitors to the hall again.
From the very first face-off, when Manuel Wiederer made his comeback, it was obvious how happy the polar bears are to play ice hockey again now that worries about relegation have been put aside. Similar to the 4:2 on Thursday in Frankfurt, when the Eisbären laid the foundations for victory with a brilliant first third, Serge Aubin’s team put the guests under a lot of pressure.
For the polar bears it’s about the pre-play-offs
After many frustrating performances this season, the Berlin pros pointed out how important it would be to produce a few feelings of happiness in series in order to dig up the hidden self-image again. In the past few days it has been observed what exactly is meant by that. Suddenly the passes come back, every player knows his role on the ice.
And then there is the fact that opposing players make mistakes under pressure, which are now exploited – like in the 1-0. Wolfsburg goalkeeper Justin Pogge pushed the puck right onto Kevin Clark’s racket, who only had to serve the free-standing Leo Pföderl.
The fact that the 13th in the table is not free from serious mistakes was shown only two minutes later (11th), when Marco Nowak played a build-up pass to an opponent, which led to Spencer Machacek equalizing 1:1.
Nevertheless, the Berliners did not allow themselves to be unsettled, but simply implemented their style and appeared even more willing and powerful after the small setback. In this condition, it is difficult to understand that it is only a matter of qualifying for the pre-play-offs.
André Rankel is replacing Craig Streu as assistant coach
At first, the Berliners had some luck in the 2-1 that Yannick Veilleux’s goal was valid after viewing the videos, the Canadian had pushed Wolfsburg’s goalkeeper badly on the pelt. When Giovanni Fiore, outnumbered, completed an exemplary counterattack to make it 3:1 (19th), the regained self-confidence was clearly revealed. Accordingly excited, the mascots of the other visiting Berlin professional clubs romped across the ice during the break.
After the second third, however, the faces on Berliner Bank looked tense – including André Rankel, who helped out as assistant coach because Craig Streu could not be there for personal reasons. Two opposing hits in the middle third to make it 2:3 and 3:5 – each in a majority – clouded the otherwise very positive overall impression. Between these two Wolfsburg goals, double packers Leo Pföderl and Zach Boychuk crowned the dominance in a 5:3 power play. “That looks like polar bears,” said striker Frank Mauer in front of the dressing room.
However, the positive overall impression should not be misleading. The Berliners were also in control of this game in the final third. And with Marco Nowak’s 6:3 (43rd), the impression was finally given that the Eisbären would win the fifth of the last six games. Even if the fourth goal six minutes before the end clouded the balance a bit.
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