Schröder notched a pair of goals, including the game-winner at 1:27 of the second-period, as the streaking Freezers skated past the injury-riddled Eisbären, 3-1 (1-0, 2-1, 0-0) in front of almost 12,800 at Hamburg’s ColorLine Arena.
After their fourth straight victory, their tenth win in the last eleven games, the third-place Hamburg Freezers trail the league’s top-two teams, Frankfurt and Berlin, by only two and one points respectively.
The Freezers not only avoided a season sweep, but also recorded their first win over the Eisbären in regulation time in 13 tries since the team was relocated from Munich.
Schröder opened the scoring only 2:28 into the contest, tucking the rebound of Kent Fearns’ shot past Eisbären goalie Rich Parent.
The Freezers doubled their lead early in the middle frame. A shot by Shane Peacock ricocheted off the boards, the puck took a funny bounce and landed right in front of the wide-open Schröder who notched his second goal of the night 87 seconds into the period.
Andre Rankl put Berlin on the board halfway through the period after Yvon Corriveau intercepted an ill-fated clearing attempt by Freezers goalie Boris Rousson. Hamburg reclaimed a two-goal lead when Dave Tomlinson scored short-handed in the final minute of the second period. He skated into the Eisbären zone and hammered a rocket from the right point under the crossbar to make it 3-1 44 seconds before the final intermission.
„Tomlinson’s short-handed goal basically put the game out of reach“, said Freezers head coach Dave King. “Nevertheless, Berlin played well. But the game also showed that we’ll be able to keep up with them come playoff time.”
The Eisbären tried to rally in the third but their depleted offense failed to create enough penetration. Kelly Fairchild, Rob Shearer, David Roberts and Florian Keller were injured scratches.
