This was the pinnacle match to end the year. The second-placed team faced the championship leader – the Kassel Huskies against the Dresden Eislöwen.
The Kassel hockey players took an early 2:0 lead, but Dresden equalized in a strong final third. However, the top scorer decided the match: Tristan Keck scored in the penalty shootout, securing a 3:2 (1:0, 1:0, 0:2 – 0:0, 0:1) victory for the Nordhessen.
Both teams took the ice with good momentum, with the Huskies having won their last four games. Dresden had an even better streak with six consecutive victories, overtaking Krefeld at the top of the rankings. The first third was marked by caution, with both teams playing very cautiously, taking few risks. During the first ten minutes, almost nothing happened in front of each team’s goal. But then the game started to speed up. The locals had the first big chance, but Nicolas Schindler missed a clear chance against Brandon Maxwell (13′). Then it was the Huskies’ turn to strike first. They converted their first numerical advantage just nine seconds after the start, with Tristan Keck’s shot finding the back of the net behind Danny aus den Birken (14′).
As expected, Keck scored for the eighth straight game. There was no doubt that the Huskies were now in control. Keck almost added to his total with a tight angle on another power play. Just before the break, Jake Weidner and Darren Mieszkowski were both denied by aus den Birken.
The 2:0 lead came quickly in the second period, with Yannik Valenti scoring just 74 seconds into the match. Things looked really good for the Nordhessens. Naturally, Dresden had to increase the pressure, and they did. But Kassel again had the best opportunity, with Mieszkowski’s follow-up shot brilliantly saved by the Dresden goalkeeper (27′). It wasn’t until late in the second period that Maxwell truly became the hero, calmly catching a Tomas Sykora shot out of the air. When the Huskies found themselves shorthanded due to a bench penalty, Maxwell also denied Dane Fox and Sykora.
After two thirds, no goals conceded for the Huskies during this crucial match. However, the final third began with the Huskies once again shorthanded due to a penalty. Coach Todd Woodcroft seemed to have some words of wisdom for his team, which survived the onslaught. However, Dresden has become stronger, camped in front of Maxwell’s goal. Once the penalty expired, Eislöwen player Johan Porsberger scored in a follow-up (43′). The Huskies barely had time to catch their breath, soon conceding the equalizer. Once again, the Eislöwen enjoyed a numerical advantage, with Simon Karlsson finding the back of the net for the 2:2.
It wasn’t until the 48th minute that the Huskies finally responded with a shot from Keck down the left side. But Dresden continued to control the game, forcing Maxwell to keep his team in the game, which he did with aplomb. In the end, the shot total for the final third stood at 16:4 in favor of the home side, but the score remained at 2:2. So the match continued into overtime, where the Kassel suddenly woke up. Keck and especially Hunter Garlent had chances to secure the victory on the counterattack but could not pass the puck beyond aus den Birken. As in the first match in Dresden, it ended in a penalty shootout, where only Keck scored to secure the victory for Kassel.
