It was particularly intense at 3: 2 (2: 0, 1: 2, 0: 0) of the DEG at the Nuremberg Ice Tigers. In a rapid and aggressive game, the Rhine countries also started without chief coach Harold Circle, which had traveled to his homeland from private reasons, better and had in Mirko Pantkowski in his first del playoff game at all the better keeper.

Already on Thursday, the currently owned by the CO coach Thomas Dolak team can make everything clear from his own audience. Also there, circle is still missing. "That was not easy for us. We said we're doing it for Harry," said Defense Routinier Bernhard Ebner at MagentaSport. For the Düsseldorfer it was in the fifth game this season against Nuremberg the fifth victory.

More than 10,000 spectators in Cologne

Not as intense as in Nuremberg it was at Cologne 4: 3 (1: 1, 2: 1, 1: 1) against the ERC Ingolstadt. Just over 10,000 spectators cheered the consistently and patient victory of the molded sharks. "You play for that," said Matchwinner Landon Ferraro in the face of the backdrop. The sharks have it a little more difficult than the DEG, as the Cologne must now take away abroad on Thursday. "That was a close game. We are definitely ready for our home game," Ingolstadt's attacker said Jerome Flake.

If a third game is needed to make decisions, this would take place on Friday. Already on Sunday, the quarter-finals start. There, the pairings Wolfsburg against Bremerhaven and Straubing against Mannheim are so far. Defending champion Eisbären Berlin and the main five-second EHC Red Bull Munich play against the winners of the pre-playoffs.