The 2002–03 Deutsche Eishockey Liga season was the 9th season since the founding of the (German Ice Hockey League). The Krefeld Pinguine became German Champions. The Schwenninger ERC Wild Wings lost their license due to insolvency proceedings and the Frankfurt Lions were granted a stay in the league.
Regular season The eight best-placed teams in the regular season would enter playoffs, while the last two teams would have to fight relegation in a playdown series.
Team GP W SOW SOL L GF:GA Points1.Eisbären Berlin5230598188:1341092.Kölner Haie 52264157151:1171013.DEG Metro Stars522410414151:117964.Adler Mannheim52258316152:129945.Nürnberg Ice Tigers52237616133:127896.Krefeld Pinguine52208222147:133787.Kassel Huskies52197719118:127788.Hamburg Freezers521710619154:152779.Iserlohn Roosters52178819142:1327510.Hannover Scorpions52185524142:1506911.Augsburger Panther52166624127:1466612.ERC Ingolstadt 52165724122:1356513.Frankfurt Lions52146626133:1716014.Schwenninger ERC Wild Wings5246113199:18435 GP = Games played, W = Win, SOW = Shootout win, SOL = Shootout loss, L = Loss = Qualified for playoffs = Season ended = Relegation playdown
Playdown The two last-placed teams, the Frankfurt Lions and Schwenninger ERC Wild Wings played a playdown best-of-seven series against relegation.
Game 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Frankfurt Lions – Schwenninger ERC Wild Wings 2:4 3:6 1:2 6:4 4:3 4:7 2:3 –
Despite the Lions having a 25-point advantage in the regular season, the Wild Wings won the playdown series. However, as insolvency proceedings against the Wild Wings opened, the DEL canceled their license and the Lions were allowed to stay in the league.
Playoffs
Quarterfinals Starting March 12, 2003, the quarterfinals were played in a best-of-seven series.
Game 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Eisbären Berlin – Hamburg Freezers 4:1 5:2 5:6 SO 3:2 2:1 4:0 – – Kölner Haie – Kassel Huskies 4:3 1:3 3:1 2:1 4:5 4:1 2:3 5:1 DEG Metro Stars – Krefeld Pinguine 1:4 1:2 5:6 OT 1:0 2:5 1:4 – – Adler Mannheim – Nürnberg Ice Tigers 4:1 5:4 1:6 5:1 4:2 3:0 – – OT = Overtime; SO = Shootout
Semifinals On March 28, 2003, the quarterfinals best-of-five series opened.
Game 1 2 3 4 5 Eisbären Berlin – Krefeld Pinguine 1:3 4:1 2:4 0:1 1:4 – Kölner Haie – Adler Mannheim 3:0 3:2 5:3 4:3 OT – – OT = Overtime; SO = Shootout
The big surprise was the loss of (Berlin Polar Bears) to the (Krefeld Penguins). The Eisbären were considered a strong favorite as they finished the regular season with 109 points vs. the Penguins 78.
Finals The final series started April 11, 2003 with a homegame for the Kölner Haie who were the higher placed team after the regular season.
Game 1 2 3 4 5 Kölner Haie – Krefeld Pinguine 2:3 2:5 2:3 3:2 3:2 OT 1:3 OT = Overtime; SO = Shootout
With this, the won the German title for the second time in their history. They almost accomplished this feat with a playoff sweep; this was somewhat unexpected, as their regular season record was not indicative of the playoff performance.
Top players Category Name Team Record Most points Mark Beaufait Eisbären Berlin 54 Points Most goals Christoph Brandner Krefeld Pinguine 28 Goals Most assists Brad Purdie Krefeld Pinguine 41 Assists Best goali Frédéric Chabot Nürnberg Ice Tigers 0.945 Best defender Jeff Tory Hamburg Freezers 46 Points
References