Munich, Germany - Germany’s modern multiplex arenas are not always a blessing for the DEL. Just weeks after a game in Hamburg’s new arena had to be stopped because of a dissolving ice surface, the puck was not even dropped for the game of the week between the second-place Mannheim Adler and the third-place Kölner Haie at the KölnArena Tuesday night.

The decision to postpone the game was made just before the planned opening face-off. Over 10,000 disappointed fans had to be sent home. Players had recognized severe damages to the ice surface during pre-game warm-ups, obviously caused by a “Holiday on Ice” show that had taken place the week before the game. Just two months ago, a game in Hamburg’s newly built Color Line Arena had to be stopped after 20 minutes with the ice surface literally melting away due to a failure in the cooling system. The game between Cologne and Mannheim was rescheduled for March 4th.

High-scoring tilt: Eisbären on losing end

In Sunday’s action, the Frankfurt Lions edged the first-place Berlin Eisbären 5-4 (1-2, 2-2, 1-0, 1-0) after penalty shootout. Berlin took the lead four times in a see-saw game, but could not capitalize on it. Greg Adams evened the score at 4-4 with just over a minute to go in regulation to send the game into the extra session. LeBeau, who also had two goals and an assists, converted the game-winning penalty shot.

Behind great goaltending from Jimmy Waite, who recorded his third shutout of the season, the Iserlohn Roosters picked up three valuable points in the battle for a playoff berth. Former Charlotte Checkers defenseman Justin Harney was the man of the afternoon. The 25-year-old had two powerplay goals and two assists as the Roosters blanked the DEG Metro Stars 4-0 (1-0, 3-0, 0-0).

Goalie Müller continues to thrive

Washington Capitals draftee Robert Müller registered his league-leading fourth shutout as the Krefeld Pinguine blanked the Kassel Huskies 3-0 (1-0, 1-0, 1-0). Stephane Barin, Patrick Augusta (powerplay) and Brad Purdie provided the scoring. In Nuremberg, Rob Guillet converted the winning attempt in the penalty shootout as the Nürnberg Ice Tigers defeated the Augsburger Panther 3-2 (1-1, 1-0, 0-1, 1-0) to extend their win streak to six games.

The last-place Schwenninger Wild Wings play in a lot of close games, but just cannot figure out a way to win. Bobby House scored an empty-net goal with 13 seconds left to give the Hamburg Freezers a 4-2 (2-1, 1-1, 1-0) win. House and Schwenningen’s Francois Fortier each had two tallies on the night.

Jean-Francois Jomphe scored the only goal of the night midway through the second period as ERC Ingolstadt recorded its third win in the last four games, blanking the Hannover Scorpions 1-0 (0-0, 1-0, 0-0). Finnish netminder Ilpo Kauhanen registered his first shutout of the season.

Hannover rebounded from the loss Tuesday night. Matthias Löof got credit for an awkward goal that turned out to be the game-winner as the Scorpions edged the Hamburg Freezers 3-2 (0-0, 1-2, 2-0) on the road. Trying to kill a penalty with under six minutes to go, a clearing attempt by Jeff Tory hit fellow-defenseman Mike Smazal in the back of the head, and the puck went straight down between netminder Boris Rousson’s legs to give Hannover the win.