North Rhine-Westphalia
DEL: Cologne sharks lose to Grizzly's Wolfsburg
By Lukas Thiele
Published September 18, 2026
After four wins in the CHL, the Cologne sharks made a false start in the DEL. Krefeld and Iserlohn were also left empty-handed.
Shark goalie Janne Juvonen (left) and Veli-Matti Vittasmäki against Ross Mauermann of the Grizzlys Wolfsburg.
Image source: IMAGO / Maximilian Koch
Bankruptcy against Wolfsburg
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Cologne sharks spoil del season opener
Last Update:
18.09.2026, 22:30
After four wins in the CHL, the Cologne sharks made a false start in the DEL. Krefeld and Iserlohn were also left empty-handed.
By Lukas Thiele
On the first day of the match, the KEC was surprisingly defeated by the Grizzlies Wolfsburg 4:8 (2:2, 1:1, 1:5). After four wins in the Champions Hockey League, it was the sharks' first bust under new coach Thomas Berglund.
Matchday 1
Overview
In doing so, the people of Cologne first proved their comeback qualities. Kevin Niedenz made up for the early deficit by Robert Lynch in the fourth minute just one minute later. After William Graber put the guests back in the lead (8th), Valtteri Kemiläinen ensured a level playing field before the end of the first third (18th).
Opening bankruptcies for sharks, penguins and roosters
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Shortly after the start of the second period, Niedenz even put the KEC in the lead with his second goal (22nd), but Tyler Gaudet (29th) quickly equalised.
So it was balanced in the last third, but then there was little balance. Within just three minutes, the Grizzlies put Wolfsburg from 3: 3 to 3:6. Robert Lynch (44th), Tyler Morley (44th) and Luis Schinko (46th) literally overran the sharks at the beginning of the final section.
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Although Marcel Noebels briefly provided Cologne with hope two minutes later with the goal to 4:6 (48th), Spencer Machacek again destroyed all hope just one minute later with the goal to 4:7 (49th). Wolfsburg's Keaton Thompson scored an empty goal two minutes before the end of 4:8 (58th)
Krefeld penguins subject to Bremerhaven on del return
Meanwhile, the Krefeld Penguins have also lost their first del game after four years of second-rate play - against the Fischtown Penguins from Bremerhaven, of all places. Against Coach Popiesch's long-standing club, the 2003 champion lost 1: 3 (0: 0, 1:3, 0:0) in the first del match in almost 4.5 years.
"There were plenty of emotions," said the 61-year-old Popiesch shortly before the game at MagentaSport. "With the first bully, however, this will become normal." From 2016 to 2024, Popiesch was a very successful coach in Bremerhaven, culminating in winning the runner-up championship. “That's why the game is special to me.”
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The climber was able to keep up with a third, then the guests struck cold. Christian Wejse (22nd minute) and Miha Verlic scored just 31 seconds later for Bremerhaven to take the 2-0lead. But Krefeld was able to fight back: Max Newton (26th) scored 1:2 for the first del goal since 3 April 2022. Akito Hirose (36th) restored Bremerhaven's two-goal lead in the second round.
Iserlohn catch-up comes too late
The Iserlohn Roosters also had to accept a defeat at the start - although it was tighter against the ERC Ingolstadt in the end than initially thought. After the end of the second period, Ingolstadt led 4-0 with goals from Emil Kvernmo Wasenden (2nd), Riley Sheen (23rd; 28th) and Austen Keating (38th).
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However, Iserlohn came back in the final period. Tyler Boland (51st) scored in the power play to 1:4, Justin Scott (55th) and Colin Ugeblike (59th) ensured the connection. But that's all the Roosters managed to do.
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Broadcast: "Kick-off bankruptcies for sharks, penguins and roosters", WDR.de, 18.09.2026, 10:21 pm
Krefeld penguins
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Iserlohn Roosters
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