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Berlin (dpa / bb) - The Eisbären Berlin started with a home defeat in the playoffs of the German Ice Hockey League (DEL).
On Tuesday evening, the capital city lost the first quarter-final game against the Iserlohn Roosters 3: 4 (2: 2, 1: 0, 0: 2).
Two goals by Ryan McKiernan and a goal by Matt White were not enough for the Berliners to win because the guests turned the game just before the end.
The polar bears must now win the next two games in the best-of-three series to avert the premature end of the season.
In front of empty stands in the arena at Ostbahnhof, White provided the hosts with an early lead.
Casey Bailey used the Iserlohners' first opportunity to compensate, but the Berliners answered just 23 seconds later: McKiernan used a clever cross pass from Lukas Reichel.
Because the home side made some negligence on the defensive, the guests were able to equalize again before the first break with a goal from Brent Raedeke.
Shortly after the restart, McKiernan scored his second goal in the power play.
The Berliners' lead lasted into the final third before Joseph Whitney scored for the guests.
In the last minute, Brent Aubin decided the game when the Iserlohners played in double majority.
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© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210420-99-284477 / 2
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