On December 26, the DEL2 hockey scene saw thrilling action as the Dresdner Eislöwen and Eispiraten Crimmitschau both secured victories, marking significant moments on the Christmas Day puck drop.
The Eislöwen held off the Blue Devils Weiden with a nail-biting 4-3 win at home. This victory not only maintained their position at the top of the DEL2 standings but also celebrated their fifth consecutive win. The match took place before a packed crowd at the EnergieVerbund Arena, where 4,412 fans witnessed the intense competition.
Despite their strong record, the Eislöwen faced tough opposition from Weiden, who applied significant pressure throughout the game. The match began scoreless after the first period, reflecting the defensive strategies employed by both teams. The breakthrough came shortly after the second period commenced when Blue Devils’ defenseman Fabian Ribnitzky scored, putting Weiden up 1-0.
Not to be deterred, the Eislöwen responded quickly. During a power play, captain Travis Turnbull equalized the score, and later, he scored again, bringing the Eislöwen to 2-1. The back-and-forth nature continued as Tomas Rubes for Weiden brought the score to 2-2 early in the third period.
But it was not just about the numbers; character and resilience shone through for the Eislöwen. Coach Niklas Sundblad reflected on the challenge, stating, "Weiden made very good plays... but we are glad for the three points," highlighting their ability to clinch the tight game under pressure. The thrilling conclusion came with Tomas Sykora scoring the final goal, sealing the win for Dresden with just minutes left on the clock.
Meanwhile, the Eispiraten Crimmitschau celebrated their own triumph against the Starbulls Rosenheim, defeating them decisively with a score of 4-1. This victory was especially meaningful, as it marked Crimmitschau’s first away win of the season.
The match was characterized by missed opportunities for Rosenheim, which reflected their struggle throughout the game. The Starbulls initially took the lead with Charlie Sarault scoring early, but they were unable to capitalize on their chances thereafter. The Eispiraten managed to level the score and successfully took over the momentum within the match.
Crimmitschau's Mirko Sacher became the pivotal player, capitalizing on defensive errors from the Starbulls. The final blow came from Denis Shevyrin, who scored shortly before the end, solidifying Crimmitschau's dominance.
"With this fatal mix of not taking chances and making mistakes, you can't win games," lamented Rosenheim’s performance post-match, emphasizing the team's disappointing day. The circumstances of this defeat present challenges for the Starbulls as they look to regroup and find solutions heading forward.
Both matches not only thrilled fans but shifted the dynamics of the DEL2 standings. With the Eislöwen solidifying their lead, the Eispiraten roused spirits within their ranks by breaking their away losing streak.
Looking forward, both teams remain focused on their upcoming matches, with the Starbulls needing to address their inconsistencies, and the Eispiraten energized by this much-needed win. The tightly contested nature of the DEL2 promises fans more excitement as the season progresses, reaffirming the intensity and unpredictability of hockey during the holiday season.
