Eisbären Berlin - Die Welt ist eine Scheibe

15.02.2012 Exciting hockey – a typical game between these two teams

Before the Tuesday night game the Eisbären Berlin had 10 games left to play and the DEG Metro Stars only 9 before going into the playoffs. “It was a typical game between these two teams – many chances on both sides and many mistakes that were punished” Düsseldorf´s coach Jeff Tomlinson reflected on the game. “I have to make a compliment to our goalie Robert Goepfert. He saved tremendously and secured three important points for us tonight”. After the 10 day break the Eisbären lost their game by 4 goals to 3.

The home team dominated the hard intense battle from the beginning. After 2:29 their pressure already resulted in success. On a quick counter attack Tyler Beechey took Connor James´ pass and carried the puck into the offensive zone. Unimpeded he had very much time to look for the free slot goalie Rob Zepp didn´t cover up – he found it in the left angle. But Berlin didn´t give up the game so quickly. They demonstrated excitingly once more why they are a team to be respected. During some minutes of high pressure Mads Christensen got the puck in the slot area. Standing all alone he had no problems to convert the equalizer (05:47). Later on Düsseldorf renewed the lead. Patrick Reimer spun around on the left dropping point shooting the puck into the corner (10:07). But again Berlin didn´t give up. Nick Angell skated past all defensemen seeing Barry Tallackson in front of the goal. The American striker from North Dakota one timed the puck at 16:29 of the first period. “I think that we played pretty well actually” the 28-year old voiced his frustration. “We gave them too much free space to capitalize on their chances and we wasted ours”.

The most valuable player of the game Robert Goepfert thought, that “it was a really tough game. Both teams made a few mistakes during the first period – mentally and defensively. The guys fought for these three points. It is a huge moral boosting win before we carry on with our schedule – 8 games left”. Evan Kaufmann converted the rebound of Patrick Reimer´s slap shot at 12:00 of the second period. But the Eisbären Berlin reacted and again found an answer to the scoring board. It was the new Eisbär player Jon Sim with his first goal for Berlin who equalized the scoring at 3 (14:04). Unfortunately for Berlin Düsseldorf renewed their lead for the fourth time in front of 4200 spectators at the ISS Dome. It was Connor James who finalized the scoring by pushing the puck over the goal line 59 seconds left in the second period (19:01).

From then on Berlin began to push hard against Düsseldorf´s goal. They shot 39 times on it in total. The home team shot only 24 times. During the third period Berlin had the equalizer on their sticks many times. It was an exciting and fascinating game with enormous playoff character. After all Berlin was a little unlucky. “We have to keep playing just like we did before the break” Barry Tallackson commented. “We have to keep up the momentum day in and day out. I am glad to help this team to get the wins it needs – then it will be just fine”. Berlin needs his help 9 times more to start well into the playoffs.

Ken Frege