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A change from the norm
A break from the normal Panthers chat for a brief review of a recent trip I made to O2 world in Berlin to watch the Berlin Eisbaeren (Polar Bears) take on the Hamburg Freezers. You’ll have to appreciate that elements of the experience are a little hazy given that the game faced off approximately 26 hours into my own stag party. What I can certainly confirm is that the currywurst and pilsner on offer at the arena is more than palatable!
I suppose the first thing that grabs you about ice hockey in Berlin is that it is a big thing. The DEL is obviously a very stable league when compared to the EIHL (and to most of Europe’s ice hockey leagues) but Berlin really does have something beyond the norm. Dropping into the local pub just around the corner from our hotel and the window is adorned with Eisbaeren stickers. It turns out the owner sponsors some of the junior teams and, although he seemed a lot more concerned about his country’s evening football match with Turkey, he was certainly most interested in the fact that a group of us were heading to see the hockey.
On the way to the impressive o2 world arena on the underground it feels very similar to getting the tube in London when one of the big football clubs is at home. Everywhere you look people are clad in Eisbaeren apparel and the atmosphere is building even several stations away from the rink.
Trooping to the arena from the nearest underground stop you start to get a feel for just how seriously these guys take their Friday night hockey. Swarms of people jam the bridges across the railtracks and pour into the venue which is every inch an NHL quality venue; although slightly smaller than most rinks now used in the show by modern standards.
14,000 people, the arena’s maximum capacity for ice hockey, will cram in to watch tonight’s game and this is not uncommon, it is rare for games in Berlin to attract crowds lower than 13,000 and most are pretty much sold out.
The one thing about the DEL, at least from the games I’ve been to see, is that they seem to have the match night presentation bang on. Granted, Berlin have better facilities than most teams with which to put on such a show however the pre-match build up video and the entrance of the team onto the ice is something to behold. Even in German it gets the blood flowing and the hairs on the back of the neck standing up.
The locals welcome their heroes, who enter the ice through a huge blow up polar bear, by roaring each player’s surname following the announcement of his number and forename. The opposition sneak onto the ice in relative darkness at the opposite end of the rink (how it should be – Panthers take note) to the roars of the 300 or so Hamburg fans who’ve made the journey to their capital city.
The game itself was a slow burner action wise. One of the most noticeable things for me was the quality of skaters on both sides; both rosters seemed packed with guys whose ability to move around the ice was wholly natural, there seemed very few skaters who have that cumbersome ‘Kevin Bergin’ style of movement.
The passing was also very crisp and accurate, as you’d expect from players at this level, although strangely the finishing was not as precise and both sides spurned several opportunities throughout the first twenty minutes before Berlin finally tucked away the opener with just 92 seconds left on the period.
You’d have thought that the goal would have settled the home side down but actually the opposite seemed to be the case and as the second period wore on Hamburg looked increasingly likely to register. It took their first powerplay opportunity before they did finally find the net, and that was closely followed by an even strength goal to put them in front, the two goals scored at 33:40 and 36:05 respectively. At the end of the second the home side had much to think about, facing a 2-1 deficit.
Despite the scoreline the fans in the stands didn’t seem to let it affect the atmosphere, chanting and singing persisted throughout, orchestrated mainly by one chap with a loud hailer in the centre of the ‘terracing’ to one end of the arena. There must have been around 3500 fans in that terraced ‘fancurve’ and it sure does make for a cracking environment in which to watch hockey.
The second interval rollicking, and possibly their fan’s unwavering support, clearly had some effect on the Eisbaeren as they quickly levelled the scores 47 seconds into the final period. That was, however, as good as it was going to get from there on in as the Freezers scored yet another quick fire double with a powerplay effort on 55:05 and another even strength effort just 26 seconds later.
Despite pulling their goaltender the Eisbaeren could not penetrate the determined Hamburg side as the Freezers saw out the remaining minutes for a satisfying 4-2 victory, their fans absolutely delirious with joy at the final hooter. For me the special teams decided this one, with Hamburg finishing 2/2 from their powerplay opportunities compared to Berlin’s poor 0/5.
I left the arena with a memento of the game (and, of course, my stag weekend!), a replica Jeff Friesen Eisbaeren jersey. As he competes in his second DEL season with Berlin it is clear from a few conversations that left winger Friesen, a first round (11th overall) draft pick of the San Jose Sharks in 1994, is held in very high regard by the locals. Some of that comes from his performances in 09/10, however presumably much of it also comes from a quick glance at his distinguished career encompassing fourteen NHL seasons; including playing a big part in the New Jersey Devils 2002/03 Stanley Cup success.
My overall impression of DEL hockey remains the same after this game, I think they need to loosen up their feelings toward ‘the rough stuff’ and let the odd tussle go. The game felt it was lacking something at times as players were not allowed to exchange as much as cross words without the linos steaming in to keep the peace. That said the quality of hockey on display, including plenty of physical play, is excellent. The overall experience of going to a game in Berlin is, off the ice, very similar to watching an NHL game. The arena is first rate, the fans passionate and vocal. I would certainly go back for another game if I got the chance.
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
5-3 |
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
4-5 |
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
1-4 |
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
4-4 |
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| 11th March 2006 19:00 | ||
2-4 |
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| 11th March 2006 19:00 | ||
| Club | GP | W | L | OL | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|
5-8 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
5-1 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
4-1 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
5-2 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
3-7 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
1-1 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
| Club | GP | W | L | OL | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|
- Adam Walker
- Alex Birch
- Andy Pierce
- Chris Gent
- Christopher Beal
- Craig Simpson
- Dave Simms
- Elliott Stanley
- Gareth Chalmers
- James Broughton
- James Gordon
- Katy Madgwick
- Luke Catterson
- Mark Briggs
- Mark Duell
- Mat Young
- Patrick Smyth
- Promotion
- Russ Morrell
- Seanna Murdock
- Stephen Dowson
- Stewart Roberts
- Tom Forster
- Vicki Smart
- William Lyon
