The Kölner Haie were dealt a 5-2 defeat by Bremerhaven on March 24, 2025, marking their first loss in the DEL playoffs this season. The game saw numerous penalties that contributed significantly to the Haie’s defeat, a reality that both players and coaching staff acknowledged in their post-game comments.
After taking a 2-0 lead in the first period at the Lanxess Arena, the Kölner Haie squandered their advantage due to costly penalties. Maximilian Kammerer, Kölner Haie’s forward, noted the struggle with staying off the penalty box. “You can’t win when you sit so much on the penalty bench,” said head coach Kari Jalonen during the press conference.
The game was significant for its stakes, as it was a playoff series where Kölner Haie held a 3-1 lead against the Bremerhaven Pinguins. Despite the defeat, the Haie remain optimistic about their chances, considering they still lead the series. “That’s no catastrophe. We're ahead 3-1,” Kammerer commented, acknowledging the worth of the opponent: “You can lose to a team like Bremerhaven.”
Throughout the match, penalties played a crucial role, impacting both teams' performances equally—both had five power play opportunities, each converting twice. However, the Haie’s discipline became a hot topic in interviews following the game. Kammerer expressed frustration at the sheer number of calls against his team, stating, “There were way too many penalties. I don’t know if that’s necessary in the playoffs; there were extremely many light penalties. We need to be more cautious if the referees are calling it that tightly.”
For the second playoff game of the series, head coach Kari Jalonen and his team must prepare effectively to tighten their defensive play and limit penalties going into Game Five on March 26, 2025. Jalonen, who has been head coach of the Haie since May 2024, expressed a philosophical view on the nature of playoffs; “It isn’t about winning every game, but how you respond to losses. It’s time for us to show how we react to this game.”
The Pinguins, buoyed by their win, are looking forward to the next match with confidence, as coach Alexander Sulzer emphasized their readiness and prior chances to win: “We already had enough chances in the previous games. I’ve always had a good feeling that we could beat the Kölner.”
As the Kölner Haie regroup before their next match in Bremerhaven, the focus will be on playing a disciplined game, leveraging their strengths when at full strength on the ice. “In five-on-five, we played quite well. We stand extremely compact, play well in our zone, and also create opportunities,” noted forward Parker Tuomie.
The intensity of the playoffs carries a unique pressure, and balancing aggression with discipline will be a key area of improvement for the Kölner Haie in the upcoming match. The reminder that a 3-0 lead in a playoff series has never been lost in DEL history serves as an encouraging statistic as they push for their spot in the next round.
The upcoming game promises excitement and determination as Kölner Haie looks to solidify their series lead. With an emphasis on discipline, the team hopes to secure the series against Bremerhaven and move closer to their championship goal.
