Eisbären Berlin dominate Adler Mannheim in Game 1 of DEL Final
BERLIN — The Eisbären Berlin have taken a commanding 1-0 lead in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) Final series after a dominant 7-3 victory over Adler Mannheim in Game 1 on Friday, April 24, 2026.
The defending champions and DEL record champions showed why they enter the postseason as favorites, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first period and never looking back. Liam Kirk opened the scoring just 8 minutes in, followed by Jean-Sébastien Dea’s goal three minutes later to make it 2-0. Les Lancaster added a third before the first intermission, putting the Eisbären up 3-0 after 20 minutes.
Berlin extended their advantage in the second period, with two more goals to make it 5-0. Despite Mannheim showing signs of life in the third period — scoring three unanswered goals to cut the deficit to 5-3 — Berlin responded with two late goals to seal the 7-3 win.
Eisbären goaltender Jonas Stettmer was instrumental in preserving the shutout through two periods, making key saves during Mannheim’s early pressure. The Berliner defense limited high-danger chances and forced the Adler into low-percentage shots from the perimeter.
“We have to defend better,” Mannheim’s Lukas Kälble said after the game, per MagentaSport. “Now we need to arrive out stronger in the second period.”
The Eisbären entered the playoffs dealing with injury concerns but have maintained their dominance, having previously defeated the Straubing Tigers and regular-season champion Kölner Haie. Against Mannheim, they remained disciplined, sticking to their structured approach and capitalizing on defensive lapses.
This victory continues Berlin’s recent postseason mastery over Mannheim, having won all seven of their previous playoff matchups. The Eisbären now need just three more wins to capture their second straight DEL championship.
Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is scheduled for Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 16:30 local time in Berlin, where the Eisbären will gaze to extend their lead as hosts.
The DEL Final features two of the league’s most storied franchises, with Berlin holding the record for most championships in league history. Since the DEL’s inception in 1994, Berlin has consistently ranked among the elite, blending veteran leadership with timely contributions from depth players.
For Mannheim, the task ahead is daunting but not impossible. The Adler showed resilience in earlier rounds, holding serve at home against the Fischtown Pinguins and EHC Red Bull München. To turn the series around, they will need to tighten their defensive coverage and generate more traffic in front of Stettmer.
As the series shifts to Berlin, both teams know the importance of Game 2. A split would send the series back to Mannheim tied at 1-1, while a 2-0 Eisbären lead would put immense pressure on the Adler to avoid falling into a 0-3 hole.
The winner of this DEL Final will be crowned German hockey champion, continuing a tradition that dates back to 1912 for men’s hockey in Germany.
What’s next: Game 2 of the DEL Final between Eisbären Berlin and Adler Mannheim is set for Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 16:30 CET (14:30 UTC) in Berlin. Fans can follow live updates through the DEL’s official channels and broadcast partners.
If you enjoyed this recap, share your thoughts in the comments below and spread the word to fellow hockey fans.
