Kölner Haie first team in DEL semifinals

DEL playoff quarterfinals, game 5

Adler Mannheim (1) - Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg (10) 3-2 OT

For the regular season winners from Mannheim it was a must-win game to avoid a first round debacle against Wolfsburg. The guests had the better start though when they grabbed a two-goal lead in the first period through Tyler Haskins and Aaron Brocklehurst. The home side needed a long time to get over this shock but with a double in the first minutes for the third period Ken Megowan and Frank Mauer tied the match for them. In overtime they made their race to catch up perfect when Florian Kettemer scored the game winner after just 162 seconds.

Wolfsburg lead 3-2 in the series

Kölner Haie (2) - Straubing Tigers (9) 2-1 OT

In an even match favourites Cologne stayed the winners against Straubing and reached the playoff semifinals as the first team this year. Marco Sturm had brought the home side in front with a power play goal early in the second period before Matt Hussey send the match into overtime at 51:01. After almost seven minutes of overtime Philip Gogulla made everything clear for Cologne and sent them to the next round.

Köln have won the series 4-1

Krefeld Pinguine (3) - ERC Ingolstadt (6) 1-2

For Krefeld it was their first of three matchballs in this series and they were not able to use it. In the first 20 minutes Thomas Greilinger and Sean O'Connor pathed the way for Ingolstadt's success. At 50:50 Kevin Clark only could cut the Penguins' deficit to the half but it was too late for a comeback.

Krefeld lead 3-2 in the series

Eisbären Berlin (4) - Hamburg Freezers (5) 3-2

Game #5 in this series between the two Anschutz teams - both teams are owned by the same company - Berlin and Hamburg once more guaranteed a dramatic finish. Vincent Schlenker and TJ Mulock had opened the score for the hosts in the first 40 minutes but Matt Pettinger and Daniel Nielsen tied the match for Hamburg late in the third period. When everything looked like an overtime would follow it was Jens Baxmann who scored the game winner for DEL record champions Eisbären with just one (!) second left on the clock! But Berlin not only won 3-2 today but they also can win the series in the next match in Hamburg.

Berlin lead 3-2 in the series

All three remaining quarterfinal series will continue with game #6 on Saturday at 17.30 CET.

Tweets by @eurohockey