Dresden Falls Short in DEL2 Final: Ravensburg Claims Crucial Victory

The quest for promotion to the DEL continues for the Dresdner Eislöwen as they suffered a setback in the fifth match of the DEL2 finals against the Ravensburg Towerstars, losing 4-7. With this defeat, the Eislöwen now lead the series 3-2, putting their hopes of ascending to the top division on hold.

Despite the return of injured players Yogan and Andres, the Eislöwen started the game on a passive note. The Towerstars seized the initiative, with Sarto scoring the opening goal in the ninth minute, which remained the score until the end of the first period.

The second period turned out to be a rollercoaster, showcasing some of the most dramatic moments of the finals. Ravensburg struck early with two quick goals within eleven seconds, creating a seemingly insurmountable lead. The first was an unfortunate own goal by Riedl, followed by a bizarre play where the puck deflected off goalie Aus den Birken's head into the net. Santos then extended the lead to 4-0 with a power-play goal just minutes later.

However, the Eislöwen refused to back down. Karlsson managed to score in the 25th minute, providing a glimmer of hope. But Ravensburg quickly countered with Czarnik scoring to make it 5-1 in the 32nd minute. The Eislöwen responded fiercely, with Gorcik and Sykora scoring in rapid succession during a power play, cutting the deficit to 3-5.

As the game progressed into the final period, Ravensburg's Payerl increased their lead to 6-3, but Dresden continued to fight back, with Yogan narrowing the gap to 4-6 in the 52nd minute. Despite their efforts, Ravensburg sealed the match with a final goal in the 56th minute, concluding the game at 7-4.

The Eislöwen now face a crucial match on Sunday in Dresden, where they will have another opportunity to secure their DEL promotion. This match is set for 5 PM and promises to be a thrilling encounter as the Eislöwen aim to capitalize on their home advantage and fulfill their aspirations of moving up to the top tier.