Polar bear fail, but then to Munich : A season in 60 minutes

Who had seen in the past six months, not one of 59 Games, the polar bears of the German hockey League (DEL), received on Friday evening in the Arena at the Ostbahnhof at 60. Appearance of the Berliner, a type offered to quickly run through the season. The polar bears lost 14 200 spectators in the sold-out hall in their sixth quarter-final against RB München 3:4 (1:4, 2:0, 0:0) and thus the series "best of seven" with 2:4-Win. "We were close," said captain André Rankel after the dramatic and sometimes spectacular duel with the master.

First of all, the guests got the better Start. From the beginning, the Berlin-based your ran after against players only, the opening goal in Munich by Maximilian Kastner was. So bumpy the first few months were not in the main round of the DEL, the polar bears had a mentally often. However, you could rely on this season, at least on their Powerplay and so the compensation actually fell by James Sheppard. After that, the hosts were in the game, it would have been can now turn to your favor.

But suddenly skills slipped in Easily, the Berliners let their euphoria to wear. In the process, they neglected the defensive work and scored the 1:2 by Mads Christensen counter. The following minutes brought already the preliminary decision. Frank Hördler and Daniel fish book made unnecessary Fouls, Munich, was initially met with Five against Three for the 3:1 by Michael Wolf, and a little later still, in the case of Five against Four by Justin Shugg to 4:1. "The two Powerplay goals were, of course, is crucial," said Stéphane Richer after the game. And trainer Mr Don Jackson was delighted with the "two hit Numbers, at the right time".

The polar bears lost early in the connection, but fought until the end

The polar bears had lost the connection, such as over long distances the main round. The reasons to know their Fans from the last half of the year to satisfy: Holey Defensive, weak tackling and undisciplined habits. After the first third, and the clear Three-goal deficit, many had written off the visitors in the Arena of their own team.

Fans and players gave up after the first break, but continue to all. Munich's pace slowed noticeably, and national goalkeeper Danny from the birch became the center of attention. Already in the first third, he had blocked a shot by Austin Ortega, on the second pass it was then, however, the goals from Marcel Noebels and Jamie MacQueen powerless. The polar bears had actually fought back into the game and were whipped by their followers to the front. "The Fans have given us a Push," said Richer later on, and Rankel thanked also like for the support, despite the "many games this season that were not so accepting."

The game on Friday night is not included, certainly, and there was, finally, the final third. The people of Munich came to the back of the sealing, appeared barely in front of Kevin Poulin. In contrast, had to rescue her from the birch several times in greatest Need. "He has now made the difference," praised him in his Coach after the game.

to bring, Ultimately, the resources were not available to the polar bears in the last third but, Munich is not only shaken, but also to a case. "We gave everything, but Munich has not allowed much," said Richer. "We lost the game in the first third, as of last Friday," said Rankel. That's what had brought it on the polar bears early, were not able to correct at the end. Who knows how the season would have gone, if Berlin had not played such a bad first round and in the quarter-finals, a different opponent than in Munich had been waiting for?

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Eisbären Berlin of the football season 2018/19 3:4 in the sixth quarter-final against RB Munich - the end of the season

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With Would have to win, But in sports, however, is rarely something. "We have shown in the Play-offs, which would have been possible," said captain Rankel, and added: "At the end of Munich was perhaps just smarter."