HALLE (SAALE), Germany – Only two weeks are left for the start of the new DEL season and two potential Championship candidates used their precious preparation time to lace up for a preseason game against each other.
The Eisbären Berlin finished second in the regular season last year, but failed in the first playoff round against Cologne. The Grizzlys Wolfsburg almost went all the way, as they reached the final for the second time in franchise history, but came up short against the Champions from Munich. So they decided to bolster their defense with one of Munich’s best players last season and signed Jeremy Dehner. Besides Dehner, Wolfsburg had all their newly acquired players in the lineup, as there is former Eisbären player Alexander Weiß, Philipp Riefers, Kris Foucault and Alexander Karachun.
Berlin had all four newly acquired forwards dressed (Kyle Wilson, Daniel Fischbuch, Jamie MacQueen and Nick Petersen). The Eisbären also tested two free agent players, who are competing for a contract, as there is Defenseman Nick Bruneteu and Winger Mark Ledlin. Both of them had pretty strong outings in the game against Wolfsburg, as they were pushing hard to get signed by Eisbären GM Peter John Lee.
The duel between these two teams always stands out, because Eisbären Coach and NHL legend Uwe Krupp faces his son Björn, who plays on defense for the Grizzlys.
Going into the game, both teams looked pretty nervous and took many unnecessary penalties. As a result, Wolfsburg contributed on their first Power Play chance, when Eisbären veteran Jens Baxmann sat in the Penalty Box for Tripping. What a coincidence that former Eisbären Winger Alex Weiß scored the opening Goal for Wolfsburg, after a beautiful dish by Kris Foucault.
After the first goal, both teams really focused up and the crowd witnessed some great hockey. The Eisbären back on even strength tied up the game right away after a nice shot from the point by the talented young Defenseman Jonas Müller.
The game went coast to coast until the end of the period with significant scoring chances on both ends, without any more goals, thanks to the great performing goaltender Petri Vehanen (Eisbären) and Felix Brückmann (Grizzlys).
The second period started the same way the first had ended – full speed.
High intensity hockey, really uncommon for a preseason game in Germany.
After a breakout attack on the right wing by Eisbären Forward Jamie MacQueen, Robbie Bina tried to address a heavy hit to him, but failed badly, because of the sheer speed of MacQueen. Bina crashed into the boards and got hurt. He later returned for the final minutes of the game.
Midway through the game, the Grizzlys recaptured the lead thanks to Brent Aubin after a nice helper by Jeff Likens on even strength. No chance for Petri Vehanen in this case.
But again not long after the Grizzlys got ahead, the Eisbären accelerated and turned one shift up to tie it again five minutes later. This time it happened to be newly acquired Center Kyle Wilson who scored the goal on the two men advantage. Fabio Pfohl and Björn Krupp sat in the Sin Bin. Right after the Grizzlys lead, the Eisbären themselves survived a two men deficit, just to take away the lead from them on their two men deficit.
Besides the first penalty kill, where Wolfsburg was able to score, Berlin did a pretty good job in denying the ambitions of the Grizzlys on their power play.
The game kept its speed and intensity until the end of the second period with both teams playing on one elite level, what results in a logically even score.
The closing section of the game started again on a high level, with both teams battling hard in the neutral zone. After eight minutes into the third period the Eisbären could score to take the lead for the first time in this game. Micky DuPont scored from the high slot to beat Felix Brückmann.
Unfortunately, the game took a 180-degree turnaround where it seemed to slow down badly.
Both teams payed tribute for the high intensity in the first two periods and became tired and unfocused. Berlin defended the lead pretty solid and Wolfsburg wasn’t able to turn the switch because of their increasing fatigue.
But somehow they could manage to tie the game up with four minutes left, as Lubor Dibelka scored after a quick combination through the Eisbären zone including Mark Voakes and Brent Aubin.
Nobody in the crowd expected that, but thanks to Dibelka everybody in the audience was able to witness the first 3-on-3 overtime in German hockey history, where the Eisbären had the luckier finish, ironically scoring on a 4-on-3 power play only three minutes into the additional period.
Again it happened to be Micky DuPont who scored and won it for the Eisbären Berlin.
That was some hard fought preseason hockey from both teams. At the end, a tied 60 minutes was the deserved outcome, where the Eisbären had the luckier finish in Overtime.
Both teams met on neutral ice, as they were playing in the Eisdom in Halle (Saale). It was the fourth time in history, people in Halle could experience Elite League Hockey in their hometown.
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