Munich, Germany - The Berlin Eisbären are back on top of the DEL after gameday 23. While the club from the nation’s capital had the edge in a high-scoring tilt against the Iserlohn Roosters Sunday night, the Kölner Haie slipped to second place after being upset at home by the Kassel Huskies. Elsewhere, the meeting between expansion team ERC Ingolstadt and the slumping Frankfurt Lions turned into a rout.

Alexander Serikow and Zdenek Nedved both had a goal and an assist as the Kassel Huskies skated to a 5-2 road win over the Kölner Haie (1-1, 1-0, 3-1), ending Cologne’s three-game win streak. Despite squandering a lead twice, the Huskies brought a full sixty-minute effort and edged out the Haie with sharp execution. Third-period strikes by Stephane Robitaille (50:59) and Serikow put the game out of reach (56:56). Mikael Wahlberg, who also recorded two helpers, sealed the victory with an empty-netter.

The Eisbären seized the opportunity. Sven Felski scored a hat trick as Berlin overpowered the hot Iserlohn Roosters 6-4 (3-1, 2-1, 1-2). Berlin jumped out to an early 3-1 lead behind tallies from Felski, Rob Shearer and Dave Roberts. Iserlohn had plenty of opportunities to close the gap in the second period, including a 5-on-3 opportunity, but failed to cash in. Back-to-back tallies from Felski and Steve Walker only nine seconds apart turned out to be the neckbreaker.

With 52 points, the Eisbären are now one point ahead of Cologne (51) and also have two games in hand over the Haie.

Mannheim and Augsburg combine for 10 goals, too

The Mannheim Adler also got involved in a high-scoring contest. Mike Kennedy scored two goals and an assist as Mannheim came from behind to beat the Augsburg Panthers, 6-4 (1-1, 2-2, 3-1). Mannheim (49) defended third place in the standings.

Adler forward Rene Corbet, playing only his third game after returning from reconstructive knee surgery, had a goal and two helpers. Only 24 hours after snapping an 11-game losing streak in the debut of new head coach Rich Chernomaz, Augsburg showed a lot of confidence. Back-to-back goals from JP Drouin and Sergej Vostrikov gave the Panthers a 3-2 lead midway through the middle frame. But the Adler battled back furiously. Wayne Hynes scored the equalizer with less than three minutes remaining in the second period. With momentum on their side, the Adler kept pressing. Seven minutes into the final period, Devin Edgerton put Mannheim ahead 4-3. Jason Podollan doubled the lead, converting a feed from Chris Joseph. Augsburg closed the gap to one when Philippe Audet scored 25 seconds from the final horn with an extra skater on, but an empty-net score from Kennedy capped Mannheim’s win.

The Düsseldorfer EG Metro Stars (43) remain in fourth place after blanking the Nuremberg Ice Tigers 4-0 (1-0, 2-0, 1-0). Tore Vikingstad notched two powerplay goals.

Thomas Brandl tallied three assists as the streaking Krefeld Pinguine (34) continue to climb up in the standings. After routing the Hanover Scorpions 8-1 on Friday, Krefeld lit up the scoreboard once again, routing the last-place Schwenningen Wild Wings 7-1 (2-0, 3-1, 2-0).

Ingolstadt routs Frankfurt

Elsewhere, the Hamburg Freezers extended their unbeaten streak to five straight games, downing the Hannover Scorpions 2-1 (0-1, 1-0, 0-0, 1-0) after penalty shootout. A first-period powerplay tally from defenseman Edvin Frylen put the Scorpions ahead, but Johan Witehall came up with the equalizer midway through the second period, also on the man-advantage. Ted Drury converted the game-winning penalty attempt.

Shane Toporowski tallied two goals as expansion team ERC Ingolstadt bounced back well from yesterday’s OT loss at Ausgburg, blanking the hapless Frankfurt Lions 6-0 (2-0, 3-0, 1-0) at home. Four of Ingolstadt’s six goals were scored on the powerplay. .Netminder Ilpo Kauhanen recorded his first shutout of the season.