2004–05 DEL season

2004–05 Deutsche Eishockey Liga season
LeagueDeutsche Eishockey Liga
SportIce Hockey
Number of teams14
TV partner(s)Premiere
2004-05
Season championsEisbären Berlin
DEL seasons

The 2004–05 Deutsche Eishockey Liga season was the 11th season since the founding of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (English: German Ice Hockey League). The Eisbären Berlin (English: Polar Bears Berlin) became first time German Champion, a feat they will repeat a number of times in the next seasons. The Kassel Huskies was allowed to stay in the league, despite losing the play-down, as Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg lost its DEL license.

The season was significant, due to the NHL lockout. 22 NHL players came to play the season in the DEL, with the Iserlohn Roosters making the first move by signing up Mike York. Several German national team players came as well -- Marco Sturm, Jochen Hecht and Olaf Kölzig. Other significant signings included Stéphane Robidas and Doug Weight midseason signups for the previous season champion the Frankfurt Lions. Erik Cole, who would have been playing with the Carolina Hurricanes, was named MVP of the playoffs with the Eisbären Berlin.

Regular season

The regular season was played from September 17, 2004 to March 13, 2005.[1]

Team GP Won Lost GF:GA Points
1. Frankfurt Lions (M) 52 35 17 197:124 103
2. Eisbären Berlin 52 32 20 166:141 101
3. Nürnberg Ice Tigers 52 33 19 188:131 95
4. Kölner Haie 52 29 23 146:120 92
5. ERC Ingolstadt 52 31 21 149:139 91
6. Adler Mannheim 52 26 26 151:150 80
7. Augsburger Panther 52 24 28 150:154 76
8. Hamburg Freezers 52 26 26 133:148 76
9. Krefeld Pinguine 52 25 26 145:159 73
10. DEG Metro Stars 52 24 28 139:152 71
11. Iserlohn Roosters 52 21 31 138:156 64
12. Hannover Scorpions 52 21 31 133:175 60
13. Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg (N) 52 19 32 134:174 58
14. Kassel Huskies 52 17 35 127:173 52
GP = Games played; GF:GA = Goals for and against
Color code:    = Direct Playoff qualification,    = Playoff qualification round,    = No playoff

Playdowns

The two last placed, Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg and Kassel Huskies played a "playdown" in a Best-of-seven series starting March 18, 2005.

Serie 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg – Kassel Huskies 4:3 2:0 0:3 7:0 2:4 0:2 4:1 3:2

The Kassel Huskies were set to be relegated to the 2. Bundesliga, but due to the Grizzly Adams losing their DEL license, they were allowed to stay. The Grizzly Adams lost the license as their new Arena was not finished in time, and the old one did not conform to the DEL rules.

Playoffs

Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
         
1. Frankfurt Lions 4
8. Hamburg Freezers 2
1. Frankfurt Lions 2
6. Adler Mannheim 3
3. Nürnberg Ice Tigers 2
6. Adler Mannheim 4
6. Adler Mannheim 0
2. Eisbären Berlin 3
2. Eisbären Berlin 4
7. Augsburger Panther 2
2. Eisbären Berlin 3
5. ERC Ingolstadt 1
4. Kölner Haie 3
5. ERC Ingolstadt 4

References

  1. ^ Allemagne 2005, hockeyarchives.info (fr)