Despite defeat: ice hockey has a future in Dresden

Fireworks brought a first-class open-air spectacle to a close. There were briefly long faces at the Dresdner Eislöwen after missing out on victory in the Winter Game against champions Eisbären Berlin in front of 32,248 spectators in the sold-out Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion. But the DEL East duel was a complete success, even if the bottom team was disappointed after Ty Ronning's equalizer two minutes before the end and Liam Kirk's winning goal in overtime. All ice hockey fans went home with the realization that the sport has a first division future in Dresden.

Despite the precarious sporting situation of the newly promoted DEL team and despite the freezing cold of up to ten degrees below zero, the coaches, players and spectators, who had flocked to the arena from all over Germany and even from the Czech Republic, enjoyed the intoxicating atmosphere of this special game and were full of praise.

"The atmosphere was electrifying"

"It was an incredible event from the point of view of a coach, the players, their families and of course for the fans. I couldn't be prouder of our organization, how this event was organized, how much people worked on it with passion. Many also had sleepless nights. The atmosphere was electrifying," said Eislöwen coach Gerry Fleming. In sporting terms, he could not blame his team. "The team showed great commitment and character, but if we made a mistake, it was immediately punished harshly."

Eislöwen goalkeeper Janick Schwendener, who was preferred to Finnish Olympic and world champion Jussi Olkinuora and kept his team in the game time and again with strong saves, also said: "It was an incredible experience, for many of us probably unique in our careers. It was especially nice for me because I didn't necessarily expect to be able to play before the season. That's why I enjoyed it all the more." He could only smile about the cold. "It was the perfect temperature for me to play ice hockey. It felt like when I used to stand on the ice in Klosters in the mountains early in the morning."

Event can bring six-figure profit

The Dresden organizers, who had already gained experience with such events after the two DEL2 outdoor games in the Dresden stadium in 2016 and 2020, received a lot of praise from all sides. "Of course, the DEL is another level than the second division. We have once again promoted Dresden, the Eislöwen and the location," said Eislöwen Managing Director Maik Walsdorf. In addition, the Eisbären "have taken the whole thing to another level in terms of media coverage".

The open-air event should not only generate attention in Saxony, but also bring financial added value to the organizers. The costs were estimated at 800,000 euros. "We expect to make a six-figure profit in the end," explained Walsdorf.