Munich, Germany - In the only game in the DEL on Tuesday, the Mannheim Adler made a big step towards home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

All-star defenseman Andy Roach converted the game-winning penalty shot as the Adler edged the Kölner Haie 2-1 (0-1, 1-0, 0-0, 1-0) after shootout on the road. The loss marked Cologne’s 14th in 18 shootout decisions this season.

With two games remaining in the regular season, Mannheim has moved into third place (92 points), one point ahead of the Düsseldorfer EG Metro Stars and six ahead of the Nürnberg Ice Tigers. The Adler need only one more point to secure home-ice for the first round of the playoffs. The Kölner Haie stay in second place (97 points).

Sebastian Furchner gave the Haie an early 1-0 lead on the powerplay when he deflected Brad Schlegel’s point shot past Adler netminder Mike Rosati 4:39 into the game. Haie forward Tino Boos got ejected early in the middle frame after tripping Adler forward Ilja Vorobjev, who had to leave the game with a ligament injury. The Adler cashed in on the ensuing five-minute powerplay. Stefan Ustorf came up with the equalizer at 6:27 of the second period when his blueline blast sailed past well-screened Haie netminder Chris Rogles.

Cologne failed to take advantage of several minutes of 5-on-3 powerplay opportunities late in the second and early in the third. Mannheim claimed the bonus point after a seven-round penalty shootout. Stefan Ustorf and Roach scored for Mannheim while Niclas Sundblad had Cologne’s only penalty conversion.