It’s a shame, the Schwenningers aren’t party crashers for the sharks! On Friday evening at home in the sold-out Helios Arena, the Wild Wings were unable to stop DEL table leaders Cologne’s impressive run of success so far with a 2-3 defeat. Overall, the Schwenningen team showed a strong performance and would have deserved more.
Schwenningen’s Phil Hungerecker said after the game: “We were no worse than Cologne, but unfortunately we are left empty-handed.”
The initial personnel situation
For the Wild Wings, Tyson Spink returned from a muscular injury in attack. Defender Will Weber, who had been injured for a long time, was deployed as the seventh defensive man – and immediately impressed again. Joacim Eriksson was in goal.
For the Sharks, top keeper Janne Juvonen guarded the box, which held sensationally in crunch time. Striker Patrick Russell had been looking forward to the game in Schwenningen in advance: “There is always a very good atmosphere.”
First goal of the season from Ben Marshall
The Neckarstadt team showed a good first third against the favored Cologne team, defended cleverly overall and kept the game very open. The only problem: Schwenningen briefly offered something twice – the Haie took their chance twice. So in the 14th minute, Cologne’s Robin Van Calster shot from distance and was very lucky that the disc – very “nasty” – landed on the ice in front of Eriksson and the Swede was overcome at 0-1. From the hosts’ point of view, Gregor MacLeod’s 0-2 (19th) goal from close range was also unnecessary – Phil Hungerecker defended a little too loosely.
But the Wild Wings were rewarded for their great effort one second before the first break when Ben Marshall scored his first goal of the season with a one-timer – in the majority – to make it 1-2. Kyle Platzer had prepared excellently.
The balance is in the air
In the middle section, Tim Gettinger and Hakon Hänelt had good chances to equalize. During this phase, the Cologne team found it difficult to move forward in transition and were kept busy by the Swans. Tylor Platzer (36th) had the next good opportunity. The Sharks’ game looked like very hard work at this stage – not the relaxed nature of a confident leader.
Before the final third, Schwenningen’s returnee Will Weber explained: “It feels good for me after this long break. It’s a close game. We now have to get the momentum on our side.”
The decision
In the last 20 minutes, the Wild Wings increased the pace and, after further good chances, were rewarded with Phil Hungerecker’s “post-punch goal” (53′) to make it 2-2. Bad luck for the Swans, who until then had largely stayed away from the penalty box: In crunch time, Mirko Höfflin had to go into the cooler – Maxi Kammerer scored a flattering 3-2 for the Haie.
Statistics
Wild Wings – Köln 2:3 (1:2, 0:0, 1:1).
Tore: 0:1 Van Calster (13:59 – Assist: Müller), 0:2 MacLeod (18:42 – Schnarr), 1:2 Marshall (19:59/5:4 – Platzer, Swarz), 2:2 Hungerecker (52:33 – Tylor Spink), 2:3 Kammerer (56:27/5:4).
Punish: Wild Wings: 4 – Köln: 8.
Referee: Hebert/Schadewaldt.
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