Master! The Eisbären are celebrating their tenth title win
Photo: dpa/Carmen Jaspersen
After the final siren in the Bremerhaven ice arena, incredible scenes took place on the ice. Immediately before the final whistle, the players could no longer stand the dugout. Standing, they were ready to jump over the barrier. Then helmets, sticks and gloves flew onto the ice. The master heroes sank into a ball of joy. The crowd of players seemed to almost crush their outstanding goalkeeper Jake Hildebrand, who was one of the guarantors of victory in this fantastic playoff series with a catch rate of over 94 percent.
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On the other side, the Bremerhaven players remained on the ice, visibly disappointed. After the “high flyer of the season” had eliminated runner-up Ingolstadt and champions Munich, the triumphant procession was to continue against the record champions. But that hurdle proved too high with just one win in five finals. »They were equal games and that’s why, despite all the disappointment, I’m indescribably proud of my boys. What they have achieved is sensational,” praised 58-year-old coach Thomas Popiesch, who is moving to second division club ERC Krefeld for personal reasons after eight years in office. His players can be proud of having achieved the greatest success in the club’s history as runners-up.
While the Bremerhaven team sought consolation over the bitter end, the Eisbären were exuberantly happy about returning to the top of German ice hockey after last season ended in an incredible defeat by missing the playoffs. »You know that you can’t win every year, which we felt painfully last season. This season the opportunity arose again in the playoffs and we eliminated the surprising main round winner from Bremerhaven with skill, fighting spirit and great will,” said master coach Serge Aubin, who can point to his third championship title within four years after 2021 and 2022 . The 49-year-old Canadian repeatedly warmed his men. »It’s unbelievable what they’ve achieved. I couldn’t be prouder of my team. We are like a family and have an incredible character in the team. In the playoffs, everyone took another step forward. The fact that the championship team only suffered three defeats in the 15 playoff games underlines their dominant position in the decisive phase of the championship.
Leonhard Pföderl, the scorer for the 1-0 lead (44th), who was not only the best scorer in the playoffs with 15 points (including three goals and eight assists in the finals), but was also named the most valuable player in the finals series amid the hustle and bustle, while he lit a long cigar with relish – as is usual with ice hockey players: “A title like this is always something special. We worked hard all year long for this. We are a close-knit bunch and have grown together a lot this season.” For the 30-year-old national player, it was the third championship title with the Eisbären.
Captain Kai Wissmann also didn’t hold back with praise: “We fought incredibly throughout the playoffs. Because in every series it was a tough fight. The start of the playoffs against Mannheim with 1:7 and the start of the final against Bremerhaven were anything but ideal. But we were always able to flip the switch. We defended strongly and had incredible quality up front. Every individual has their share. Even the guys who didn’t play every game. In the end it was a success for the entire team. As captain, I’m extremely proud of that.”
The championship team finally cleared the gold confetti-strewn ice an hour before midnight amid beer fumes and cigar smoke and, after celebrating in the dressing room, set off for Bremen and then home. Here on Saturday afternoon the heroes were celebrated in an open double-decker bus by around 1,000 fans in front of the home arena and presented the championship trophy. The official championship celebration with the fans will take place on May 1st at Uber-Platz from 2 p.m. For some polar bears, however, the season is not over. Because to the squad circle for them World Cup from May 10th to 26th in Prague and Ostrava (Czech Republic) includes defenders Kai Wissmann and Jonas Müller as well as striker Leonhard Pföderl.
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