The DEL2 hockey league had another thrilling round of matches on December 28, 2024, showcasing fierce competition as teams vie for playoff positions.
One of the standout games was between the Krefeld Pinguine and the Dresdner Eislöwen at the Krefeld ice rink. Following high tensions and on-ice battles, the Eislöwen managed to edge out the Pinguine with a narrow 3:2 victory. The game took place amid dramatic moments, including 33 total minutes of penalties indicating just how tight the competition was. The first period saw Krefeld initially take the lead with Lucas Lessio scoring during a power play, just 17 seconds after the Eislöwen's Oliver Granz was penalized for holding the stick.
Heading to the second period behind, the Eislöwen quickly equalized with Drew LeBlanc's goal following swift teamwork and passing. Tensions escalated as both teams faced penalties, but the Eislöwen persevered, eventually scoring again to solidify their win. The team’s captain Andrew Yogan assisted Trevor Turnbull for the game-winning goal, which was followed 92 seconds later by Dane Fox scoring on an empty net, much to the delight of Eislöwen fans. Despite the Pinguine's late goal from Leon Niederberger, they couldn't recover, leaving the Eislöwen delighted with their sixth consecutive victory.
Meanwhile, the Lausitzer Füchse faced the Ravensburg Towerstars, where the Towerstars overcame a recent slump to win 6:4. After losing five games, the Ravensburg team showed resilience by executing strong forechecking, leading to two quick goals, courtesy of Louis Latta and Mathew Santos. The Füchse struggled to keep pace and couldn’t recover from the early deficit. Each team traded goals across the match, showcasing dynamic offensive strategies, but the Füchse faced difficulties breaking through the Towerstars' defense.
After the match, Ravensburg’s Mathew Santos emphasized the need for the team to build on their performance, stating, "We must keep up the intensity." This win was especially significant for Ravensburg as it provided much-needed confidence heading toward the remaining matches.
Another noteworthy match occurred between the EV Landshut and the Starbulls Rosenheim, drawing 4,448 fans to the packed Fanatec-Arena. The rivalry heated up early as both teams battled for points. The opening period saw Landshut dominate, driven by Wade Bergman and Benjamin Zientek's goals swiftly turning the tide after the Starbulls took an early lead. Despite efforts from Rosenheim to recover through goal-scoring attempts, they fell short against their rivals.
The playoffs are drawing closer, and every match now carries immense weight as teams assess their strengths and weaknesses. Following this action-packed night, fans are left buzzing with excitement as the race for the playoffs intensifies.
Overall, these encounters added significant drama and flair to the DEL2 league, showcasing the enduring spirit of competitive hockey. With much still to fight for, the upcoming games promise more thrilling hockey as teams continue to scramble for playoff positioning.
