German Ice Hockey

[Shorty]

Does anyone know the format of the DEL?

We are going to be in Berlin around 14-18th April, and wondered if they had a playoff format.

It looks like their league season ends in March.

Thanks

[dodit]

I'm most likely wrong as I don't follow the league very well, but I'm sure they take a NHL kind of format in Germany, but just shorter series'. But like I said, could be wrong, but I can't imagine they'd have a poxy little playoff competition like ours.

[Ian]

According to the DEL website, those dates will cover the semi-final stage, which is played on a best of five basis with alternating home advantage.
As Eisbären Berlin currently top the regular season standings by a whopping 13 points, I guess there is a good chance they will make it the semi-final stage but of course nothing is guaranteed.
Hope you manage to catch some DEL action Shorty, it is normally excellent.

Looking forward to our weekend over there in early March, the Cologne-Düsseldorf derby on the Friday and a table-top Düsseldorf-Berlin clash on the Sunday.

[Shorty]

Cheers for the info.

We are there from a Wed to Sun night, so would hope there is a game.

I noticed that Berlin were running away with it.

I sa a game at Nuremburg a while ago, and the atmosphere and play was a very good standard.

[spik]

Hope you get tickets then.If it's the semi's won't you have to get them early before you go?

[Shorty]

I guess we will, but there is no fixture as yet.

It's something I shall be watching

[thisiswhere]

Bare in mind in Germany its 3 points for a win, ive been following Adler Mannheim this year as my girlfriends living near by and we've seen a few games. German hockey is brilliant, more for the fans than the actual hockey on show. At times the hockey is exceptional and when its good its very good, but for the majority its not much better than EIHL standard to be honest as my girlfriend pointed out. The fans though are very passionate and we've turned up to more recent games two hours in advance to join the festivities. On the whole though i strongly recommend sampling german hockey to anyone!!

[Jonno]

Jan 16, 2010 15:58:51 GMT thisiswhere said:

Bare in mind in Germany its 3 points for a win, ive been following Adler Mannheim this year as my girlfriends living near by and we've seen a few games. German hockey is brilliant, more for the fans than the actual hockey on show. At times the hockey is exceptional and when its good its very good, but for the majority its not much better than EIHL standard to be honest as my girlfriend pointed out. The fans though are very passionate and we've turned up to more recent games two hours in advance to join the festivities. On the whole though i strongly recommend sampling german hockey to anyone!!

I too have been following Mannheim's progress this year as my girlfriend is also living nearby (i do hope it's not the same one :-p).

We went to see the Mannheim-Frankfurt derby at the end of October and really enjoyed. Decent standard of hockey and a great atmosphere, would definitely recommend the DEL to any hockey fan.