ICE TIGERS EARN THEIR WINTER CLASSIC STRIPES

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THOMAS SABO ICE TIGERS   4   -  3  EISBAREN BERLIN

THE first ever WINTER CLASSIC game to be held in Europe ,was held in Nuremberg Germany on Saturday evening. As the Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers took on the visiting Eisbaren Berlin at the First ever Outdoor game in DEL history, Which was witnessed in front of a European Record of 50,000 fans at the FrankenStadion Nuremberg.

It wasn`t played in the best of conditions it has to be said, With some Swirling & Heavy rain falling during the whole game. The temperature was a cool 6 degrees to start with as the fans braving the elements in the stadium were very hardy souls indeed or very mad for turning up! The teams entered the FrankenStadion for the first time to do their Warm up, And those that was donned the skates were greeted to a massive cheer from both sets of fans as excitement was taking over by now as we built toward this historic match.

So when they came out for the Main event, the noise was deafening in the FrankenStadion with both sets of fans cheering wildly for their respective sides. Huge banners were unfurled to add to the atmosphere, As we all awaited for game time and so everyone was ready for the dropping of the puck to get this DEL Winter Classic 2013 off and running!




The game started with both goalies Weiman & Zepp getting a couple early shots to test them early on, but they not only had they to deal with the players & pucks coming at them at 100mph, But also the rain that was falling was quite heavily too in constant bursts. As it rained nearly the whole game and could see at times it wasn`t helping either side and effecting vision too.

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Nurnberg went on the 1st powerplay of the game after Connor James was tripped up by the Eisbaren Berlin Defenseman. But the Powerplay didn`t last too long as Patrick Reimer went in the box for the home side, for SLASHING at 2:30. Nurnberg had the better of the chances in the first period and were the most likeliest side to score a goal to, as Berlin struggled to get a foothold in the game due to the pressure and tempo Nurnberg were playing.


The Ice Tigers had a good chance on the back of some sloppy play mid ice by the Bears,as they broke away on a 2 on 1. But Reimer was trying to control the puck as his attempted pass across to the far side was blocked by Berlin D man as he made a great defensive play to knock the puck away with his stick at the right time. More shots rained in NO PUN INTENDED.. on Rob Zepp in the Berlin goals, as he denied a great chance from Tim Schuele after a fine pass by Eric Chouinard in the Bears zone.




The Home were dominating the 1st period on play, as their opposition just couldn`t get anywhere near to them and led to yet another break for Nurnberg. As this time they had another brakeaway, but a 3 on 1, however some good back checking by T.J Mulock snuffed out any opportunity they had and so remained scoreless. Mads Christensen who scored the game winner for Berlin when the teams last time in October, Just couldn`t find the target for his side as he got himself free and had time, but all he could do was shoot it high over the nets. Barry Tallackson had an effort that was very tamely struck and easily dealt with by Weiman who between the pipes for Nurnberg.

pic: eisbarenberlin.com

The Home side then set up a fast flowing counter attack with a tipped infront of the Bears goal, But was saved by Zepp who was looking on real form. Berlin themselves created the best move of the game for them, as Julian Talbot and Andre Rankel combined on a 1-2 with Talbot firing, but was saved by the netminder. Christensen again had another chance at the end of the period to break the deadlock ,but he seemed to leave his shooting skates back in Berlin as his shot was equally as high as earlier. The 1st period drawn to a end with a interesting 20 mins played.

END OF 1ST PERIOD:  NURNBERG ICE TIGERS  0-0 EISBAREN BERLIN

Therein Olver had the first chance of 2nd period, with a very soft shot that was saved comfortably by Weiman in nets. Weiman hadn`t faced much difficulty in the whole game really, though Zepp his opposite number at the other end was wishing he was doing, as he was facing most if not ALL the rubber in the game. But the Eisbaren goaltender was keeping his Polar Bears side in the game without a doubt with some great saves. Weiman was nearly caught out, when a looping puck towards him which should have been collected with ease, was dropped behind him & led to a Defenseman clearing quickly before a Eisbaren Player could get on to it.

A penalty was then called on Connor James for TRIPPING, Putting Berlin on the powerplay, But they couldn`t make any headway what so ever on it. TJ Mulock then got himself  put in the box for ROUGHING, as he took a swipe at a ice Tigers player for a bit of roughness behind the play,which Led to some 4 on 4 hockey.
As the penalties were counting down Laurin Brown broke away for the away side as he had a good effort saved nearly bringing the 1st goal of the game.

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The deadlock was eventually broken as the Home side took the lead, as with time still counting down on the Mulock Penalty Nurnberg had a brief Powerplay to which they took full advantage of it. It came from Stastny skating from the left corner towards the nets of Zepp, passing out towards Steven Reinprecht who was postitioned middle of the zone. His vision found Connor James open to the Right hand side of goals and James finished it off to give them a 1-0 lead.


Nurnberg nearly made it 2-0 straight from the restart, but luckily for Eisbaren Zepp got his pads down and stopped it from happening and freezing the puck. Berlin were hardly making in roads on Weiman at all, as all the shots that did come in were all off target.
The Captain of Eisbaren Berlin Andre Rankel tried to bring his side back in it as he ghosted round the defense, but could only muster a weak backhand shot away to the body of Weiman as they slowly started to claw their way back into it.



Chouinard then went to the box for the Hosts as he was deemed to have impeded Olver along the boards, so he went to sit for TRIPPING. Eisbaren were struggling to set up a good Powerplay during the 2 mins and nearly gave up a goal themselves, as a puck slowly played round the boards was cut out by that man Connor James, as he poke the puck away to the boards. And as the puck bounced off the boards, he spun away from an oncoming hit and sped off up the ice on a 1 on 1 with Zepp. But like much of the game the netminder came out on top saving it with his pads, and then to add to insult to his miss Hordler came steaming in with a heavy hit behind the Eisbaren goals on James and in the process was given 2 minutes for BOARDING as he was slammed hard in the boards. So we yet again had more 4 on 4 hockey to play & Talbot nearly tied the game up with his effort, but just missed the target.

Berlin now was on the Penalty Kill for the remainder of the period as Hordler was still serving his penalty. But with seconds remaining in the 2nd period, Busch latched onto a misplaced pass mid ice skated freely into the IceTigers zone and produced a Wrist shot that bounced in &out of goals to make it a tied game. The goal was shorthanded and timed at 40:00 to send the game tied heading into a exciting last period.

END OF 2ND   THOMAS SABO ICETIGERS   1-1  EISBAREN BERLIN

3rd period started with the Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers going ahead again, as a shot from Schuele went through the defenses of Zepp for 2-1 lead. The home fans had hardly rested from celebrating the go ahead goal before a lazy pass in the IceTigers ranks fell to Andre Rankel , who picked it picked up in the faceoff circle and rifled it home to draw the scores level again for a "DESMOND" or 2-2 Scoreline. Berlin then had a chance to go 3-2 up very quickly too, when Barry Tallackson took a shot on when it seemed a better option to pass. The visitors seem to have their tails up now from the leveling goal.


Busch had a backhanded chance saved by Weiman, as well as saving a Talbot effort quickly soon after too, the Nurnberg netminder was now getting some action finally. The Ice Tigers took the lead once again through Patrick Reimer as his shot from a very very tight angle somehow managed to squeeze in a the near post as Zepp moved his leg very slowly,while he was hugging the post. But unfortunately couldn`t avoid it trickling in behind him as Reimer was just gliding round the net to get in position and then saw the puck squirm over the line and celebrated when spotted.

Berlin nearly snatched a quick reply as the puck came lose, But the Berlin player just couldn`t force it goalwards from a pass across goals. Nurnberg had a good chance to add to the score as a diverted shot on goal was saved brilliantly by Zepp from a tipped infront, and then came a coming together behind the Eisbaren nets with a bit of pushing and shoving.

Eventually the Ice Tigers did double their lead, as good work along the boards by Bayda was kicked free to Reinprecht who pass found an open Jaspers and his shot gave them a a 2 goal lead. His wrist shot beat Zepp over the shoulder short side for a 4-2 lead. Connor James was causing the Polar bears problems all game and was a constant thorn in their sides as the visitors were struggling to deal with him.

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Berlin pulled the Goalie with over 2 mins to try and claw back the 2 goals needed. Then with 45 seconds left in the game Eisbaren Berlin players raised their sticks a loft to signal that they had scored. But the officials & Goal judge between them couldn`t give it as there wasn`t anything to prove it was a goal. So after a little consulation between the officials the Referee asked to see the video replay. Initial replays shown nothing conclusive to award the goal. On further evidence the puck seemed to appear in the crease, after the goalie moved his leg. So after about 4 mins or so, the decision was still pending and wanted see more different angles jsut to make sure they got the correct decision.

It was noticed after running the replay on that Weiman had hidden the puck under his leg and then swung his leg back over the line to give the impression he was making sure it didn`t cross. But it appeared to have come from over the line due to where the puck ended up when retrieving the puck. So after a lengthy delay the goal was FINALLY given, But time ran out for the away side pushing forward for the tying goal as it finished it up with the goaltender saving dead on the horn, giving the Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers the honour of being the 1st Winter Classic victors by 4 goals to 3 in a great event.

FINAL SCORE: THOMAS SABO ICE TIGERS  4 : 3 EISBAREN BERLIN

pic: DEL.COM