Munich, Germany - Thanks to a late rally against the hapless Hamburg Freezers, the Mannheim Adler held on to the league lead on Sunday. Kassel and Düsseldorf managed to keep in touch with last year’s vice champion, while the Kölner Haie find themselves in a free fall.

After opening the season with three consecutive wins under new head coach Hans Zach, the Kölner Haie dropped their third straight game, losing 4-1 (2-1, 1-0, 1-0) at the Berlin Eisbären. Special teams made the difference as Berlin rebounded from Friday’s loss to Kassel. While Cologne failed to cash in on eight powerplay opportunites, the Eisbären scored all of their goals on the man advantage.

The Haie actually had the better start. Defender Shane Peacock opened the scoring just five minutes in. But back-to-back scores by Rob Shearer and Kelly Fairchild late in the period turned the momentum in favor of the home team. Two tallies by defenseman Ricard Persson sealed Berlin’s win.

Turbulent final period at Mannheim

Mannheim defended the number one spot with its fourth win in a row, downing the Hamburg Freezers 4-2 (0-0, 0-0, 4-2). After two scoreless periods, the Adler jumped out to a commanding 3-0 lead on three unanswered tallies. Jason Podollan, Steve Junker and Mike Kennedy scored within a 64-second span. Hamburg cut the deficit to 3-2 on late goals by Greg Andrusak and former Adler Mike Stevens. But Todd Hlushko’s empty-netter with five seconds to go sealed Mannheim’s win.

Former Baron Alexander Serikow continued to thrive. He scored two early goals as the Kassel Huskies beat the Hannover Scorpions on the road, 5-2 (3-2, 0-0, 2-0). Teammate Zdenek Nedved also scored twice.

The Düsseldorfer EG Metro Stars rebounded from Thursday’s loss to Mannheim with a 2-1 (1-0, 1-0, 0-1) win over the Frankfurt Lions. Kassel and Düsseldorf both have twelve points, trailing leader Mannheim by three.

Ingolstadt gets first road win

Sam Groleau’s goal 6:16 into the final period turned out to be the game-winner as newcomer ERC Ingolstadt blanked the Iserlohn Roosters on the road, 1-0 (0-0, 0-0, 1-0). Canadian goalie Mike Bales recorded his first DEL shutout, stopping 33 shots and helping Ingolstadt to its first-ever road win.

The Schwenningen Wild Wings finally got their first win of the season, beating the ailing Nuremberg Ice Tigers 5-3 (3-2, 2-1, 0-0).

Christoph Brandner’s tally with 4:26 left came to late to avoid the Krefeld Pinguine’s fifth straight loss. Last year’s surprise team was downed at home by the Augsburg Panthers, 2-1 (0-0, 2-0, 0-1).