In a thrilling encounter filled with ups and downs, the Dresdner Eislöwen faced off against the Ravensburg Towerstars in the fifth game of the DEL2 finals on April 25, 2025. The match, held in Ravensburg, saw the Eislöwen fall short with a score of 4:7, missing their first opportunity to clinch the DEL entry.
The series now stands at 3:2 in favor of the Eislöwen, who will have another chance to secure their spot in the top league on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at 17:00 in Dresden.
The game began with a cautious approach from the Eislöwen, who were under pressure after the Towerstars started strong. Ravensburg took the lead early when Fabio Sarto scored in the 9th minute, placing the puck in the upper right corner of the net. Despite a few chances, including a missed opportunity by Louis Latta to extend the lead, Ravensburg ended the first period with a 1:0 advantage, outshooting the Eislöwen 6:15.
However, the second period erupted into a spectacle of scoring. Just 56 seconds in, Adam Payerl extended the Towerstars' lead to 2:0. The situation worsened for Dresden when, merely 11 seconds later, Max Hadraschek's attempt to pass the puck resulted in an own goal by Eislöwen goalie Danny aus den Birken, giving Ravensburg a commanding 3:0 lead.
Ravensburg continued to capitalize on their momentum, with Mathew Santos scoring during a power play in the 23rd minute, making it 4:0. But the Eislöwen were not ready to back down just yet. Simon Karlsson managed to score for Dresden in the 25th minute, cutting the deficit to 1:4.
Despite Ravensburg's efforts to maintain control, the Eislöwen responded fiercely. Robbie Czarnik scored for the Towerstars, putting them ahead 5:1 in the 32nd minute. Yet, the Eislöwen struck back quickly, with Sebastian Gorcik scoring in the 34th minute, followed by Tomas Sykora just 18 seconds later, narrowing the score to 3:5.
The excitement continued to build as both teams exchanged chances, with the Eislöwen hitting the post multiple times. The second period ended with a score of 3:5, leaving fans on the edge of their seats.
As the final period unfolded, Ravensburg sought to reestablish their lead. Adam Payerl scored again in the 44th minute, making it 6:3. The Eislöwen fought back valiantly, with Andrew Yogan scoring in the 52nd minute to bring the score to 4:6.
However, Ravensburg sealed the game with Santos scoring his second goal in the 57th minute, finalizing the score at 7:4. The Eislöwen's hopes for an immediate DEL entry were dashed, but they still hold a 3:2 lead in the series.
As the teams prepare for the decisive sixth game in Dresden, the tension is palpable. The Eislöwen will need to dig deep and rally their supporters to capitalize on their second match puck opportunity. Fans are eagerly anticipating the showdown, hoping for a thrilling conclusion to this nail-biting series.
In the post-game analysis, coach Mats Sundblad emphasized the need for his team to maintain focus and capitalize on scoring opportunities. "We showed resilience tonight, but we need to be sharper and more disciplined in our play if we want to finish this series on our terms," he stated. The players echoed his sentiments, expressing their determination to bring home the victory in the next match.
With the stakes higher than ever, both teams will need to tap into their last reserves of energy and strategy. The atmosphere in Dresden is expected to be electric as the Eislöwen aim to turn the tide in their favor and achieve their dream of DEL hockey.
As the clock ticks down to game day, fans are left to ponder: can the Eislöwen seal the deal, or will the Towerstars force a decisive seventh game? The excitement of the DEL2 finals continues to build, promising an unforgettable showdown this Sunday.
