The 2020–21 Deutsche Eishockey Liga season was the 27th season since the founding of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the league announced 13 November 2020 as the start date, which was later postponed to a later date.[1][2] On 19 November 2020, the DEL announced that the season would start on 17 December 2020.[3]

2020–21 DEL season
LeagueDeutsche Eishockey Liga
SportIce hockey
Duration17 December 2020 – 7 May 2021
Number of games364
Number of teams14
Regular season
Season championsAdler Mannheim
Season MVPMarcel Noebels
Top scorerJoe Whitney
(45 points)
Finals
ChampionsEisbären Berlin
  Runners-upGrizzlys Wolfsburg
Finals MVPRyan McKiernan
DEL seasons

Eisbären Berlin won their eighth title, after defeating the Grizzlys Wolfsburg in three games.[4]

Format

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The season saw the same 14 teams as last year, as all teams were given a license.[5] Adler Mannheim will be the defending champions from the 2018–19 DEL season as the 2019–20 season was ended after the regular season. At that point, EHC Red Bull München, who won three consecutive DEL titles until Mannheim’s 2019 triumph (a 4–1 series win against Munich), were the league leaders and had clinched the first seed for the DEL playoffs.

This season would have marked the return of promotion and relegation, as the last placed team would have been relegated to the second tier DEL2 and the 2020–21 DEL2 champions would have replaced them for the 2021–22 season DEL.[6] On 23 October 2020, the relegation rule was moved to next season. Still, the DEL2 champion can be promoted at the end of this season, so next season could be played with 15 teams.[7] The 14 teams played the regular season in two groups (North and South). They played the teams from the same group four times and the teams from the other group twice. After that, the top four clubs from both groups advanced to the playoffs. The quarterfinals were played within the group before, from the semifinals on, it was mixed. All playoff rounds were best of three.[3]

Teams

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Teams of the 2020–21 DEL season
  Blue: North group;   Yellow: South group
Team City Arena Capacity
Augsburger Panther Augsburg Curt Frenzel Stadium 6,218
Eisbären Berlin Berlin Mercedes-Benz Arena 14,200
Fischtown Pinguins Bremerhaven Eisarena Bremerhaven 4,674
Düsseldorfer EG Düsseldorf ISS Dome 13,400
ERC Ingolstadt Ingolstadt Saturn Arena 4,815
Iserlohn Roosters Iserlohn Eissporthalle Iserlohn 5,000
Kölner Haie Cologne Lanxess Arena 18,500
Krefeld Pinguine Krefeld König Palast 9,000
Adler Mannheim Mannheim SAP Arena 13,600
EHC Red Bull München Munich Olympia Eishalle 6,256
Nürnberg Ice Tigers Nuremberg Arena Nürnberger Versicherung 7,810
Schwenninger Wild Wings Villingen-Schwenningen Helios Arena 6,215
Straubing Tigers Straubing Eisstadion am Pulverturm 6,000
Grizzlys Wolfsburg Wolfsburg Eis Arena Wolfsburg 4,660

Regular season

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North

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South

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Intra-groups games

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Home \ Away AUG BER BRE DÜS ING ISE KÖL KRE MAN MUN NÜR SCH STR WOL
Augsburger Panther 6–5[b] 5–2 1–7 2–5 4–2 5–0 1–4
Eisbären Berlin 5–3 1–0 1–3 0–5 4–3[b] 6–2 1–0
Fischtown Pinguins 8–1 5–2 5–0 1–2 4–2 5–2 0–4
Düsseldorfer EG 5–3 5–4 2–3[a] 3–2 4–1 5–2 0–4
ERC Ingolstadt 4–3 3–2[b] 4–3 2–3 3–2[b] 6–3 1–3
Iserlohn Roosters 3–4[b] 3–0 2–4 8–3 3–2[a] 3–2[a] 0–5
Kölner Haie 2–1 4–3[a] 2–3[b] 2–5 6–3 2–4 4–5
Krefeld Pinguine 0–3 5–6 0–1[b] 1–8 0–3 1–2 0–4
Adler Mannheim 1–4 1–2 3–0 2–1[a] 5–1 4–2 2–1
EHC Red Bull München 4–1 6–2 6–1 4–2 6–2 9–2 4–3
Nürnberg Ice Tigers 1–3 3–1 6–5[b] 7–3 3–2 5–3 2–1
Schwenninger Wild Wings 4–2 4–5 3–2[a] 3–2[a] 5–3 5–6[a] 4–1
Straubing Tigers 1–3 5–2 0–4 Cancelled[8] 3–5 3–1 2–4
Grizzlys Wolfsburg 1–4 6–3 0–1 5–1 4–3[a] 5–3 2–4
Source: DEL
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae Overtime
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w Shootout

Playoffs

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All rounds were played in a best of three format. The first round was played in the regional group.

Bracket

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Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
         
N1 Eisbären Berlin 2
N4 Iserlohn Roosters 1
N1 Eisbären Berlin 2
S3 ERC Ingolstadt 1
N2 Fischtown Pinguins 1
N3 Grizzlys Wolfsburg 2
N1 Eisbären Berlin 2
(Pairings are reseeded after the first round)
N3 Grizzlys Wolfsburg 1
S1 Adler Mannheim 2
S4 Straubing Tigers 1
S1 Adler Mannheim 1
N3 Grizzlys Wolfsburg 2
S2 EHC Red Bull München 0
S3 ERC Ingolstadt 2

Quarterfinals

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The quarterfinals were played between 20 and 24 April 2021 in a best-of-three mode.

Eisbären Berlin vs Iserlohn Roosters

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20 April 2021 Eisbären Berlin 3–4 Iserlohn Roosters Mercedes-Benz Arena, Berlin Recap  
Matt White – 01:29
Ryan McKiernan – 05:17
First period 04:54 – Casey Bailey
13:32 – Brent Raedeke
Ryan McKiernan – 21:37 Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 49:05 – Joe Whitney
59:01 – Brent Aubin
Mathias Niederberger (25 saves / 29 shots) Goalie stats Andreas Jenike (28 saves / 31 shots)
22 April 2021 Iserlohn Roosters 0–6 Eisbären Berlin Eissporthalle Iserlohn, Iserlohn Recap  
No scoring First period 08:10 – Zach Boychuk
19:38 – Ryan McKiernan
No scoring Second period 23:45– Lukas Reichel
No scoring Third period 45:17 – Zach Boychuk
53:13 – Simon Després (EN)
55:47 – Sebastian Streu
Andreas Jenike (25 saves / 31 shots) Goalie stats Mathias Niederberger (25 saves / 25 shots)
24 April 2021 Eisbären Berlin 5–3 Iserlohn Roosters Mercedes-Benz Arena, Berlin Recap  
No scoring First period 02:28 – Marko Friedrich
08:03 – Marko Friedrich
Matt White – 20:49
Matt White – 29:18
Matt White – 31:01
Kris Foucault – 32:37
Second period 39:54 – Casey Bailey (PP)
Ryan McKiernan – 51:39 Third period No scoring
Mathias Niederberger (22 saves / 25 shots) Goalie stats Andreas Jenike (39 saves / 44 shots)
Berlin won series 2–1


Fischtown Pinguins vs Grizzlys Wolfsburg

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20 April 2021 Fischtown Pinguins 4–2 Grizzlys Wolfsburg Eisarena Bremerhaven, Bremerhaven Recap  
No scoring First period 06:02 – Spencer Machacek
Tye McGinn – 24:38 Second period 35:01 – Gerrit Fauser (PP)
Dominik Uher (PP) – 55:07
Jan Urbas – 58:57
Dominik Uher (EN) – 59:04
Third period No scoring
Brandon Maxwell (23 saves / 25 shots) Goalie stats Dustin Strahlmeier (29 saves / 33 shots)
22 April 2021 Grizzlys Wolfsburg 3–2 Fischtown Pinguins Eis Arena Wolfsburg, Wolfsburg Recap  
Garrett Festerling (PP) – 16:43 First period No scoring
Spencer Machacek – 34:14
Garrett Festerling (PP) – 39:54
Second period 25:57 – Mitch Wahl
27:04 – Miha Verlič
No scoring Third period No scoring
Dustin Strahlmeier (23 saves / 25 shots) Goalie stats Brandon Maxwell (34 saves / 36 shots)
24 April 2021 Fischtown Pinguins 2–3 OT Grizzlys Wolfsburg Eisarena Bremerhaven, Bremerhaven Recap  
No scoring First period 03:28 – Jeff Likens
Mitch Wahl (PP) – 33:30 Second period 28:20 – Max Görtz
Jan Urbas (EA) – 59:57 Third period No scoring
No scoring First overtime period 65:08 – Phillip Bruggisser
Brandon Maxwell (24 saves / 25 shots) Goalie stats Dustin Strahlmeier (25 saves / 27 shots)
Wolfsburg won series 2–1


Adler Mannheim vs Straubing Tigers

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20 April 2021 Adler Mannheim 2–3 OT Straubing Tigers SAP Arena, Mannheim Recap  
Denis Reul – 02:05
Taylor Leier (PP) – 13:45
First period 02:13 – Antoine Laganière
18:44 – Andreas Eder (PP)
No scoring Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period No scoring
No scoring First overtime period 61:39 – Jeremy Williams (PP)
Dennis Endras (21 saves / 24 shots) Goalie stats Sebastian Vogl (19 saves / 21 shots)
22 April 2021 Straubing Tigers 1–3 Adler Mannheim Eisstadion am Pulverturm, Straubing Recap  
No scoring First period 03:33 – Tommi Huhtala (PP)
04:05 – Tommi Huhtala
09:36 – Jason Bast
No scoring Second period No scoring
Sena Acolatse – 46:46 Third period No scoring
Sebastian Vogl (27 saves / 29 shots) Goalie stats Dennis Endras (21 saves / 22 shots)
24 April 2021 Adler Mannheim 4–3 OT Straubing Tigers SAP Arena, Mannheim Recap  
No scoring First period 04:15 – T. J. Mulock
09:38 – Corey Tropp
No scoring Second period 30:31 – Antoine Laganière (SH)
Sinan Akdag (PP, EA) – 49:59
Brendan Shinnimin (PP, EA) – 51:20
Thomas Larkin – 54:25
Third period No scoring
Nico Krämmer – 70:36 First overtime period No scoring
Dennis Endras (24 saves / 27 shots) Goalie stats Sebastian Vogl (33 saves / 37 shots)
Mannheim won series 2–1


EHC Red Bull München vs ERC Ingolstadt

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20 April 2021 EHC Red Bull München 1–4 ERC Ingolstadt Olympia Eishalle, Munich Recap  
No scoring First period 04:45 – Wojciech Stachowiak
09:45 – Tim Wohlgemuth
Chris Bourque – 31:37 Second period 23:53 – Wayne Simpson
29:13 – Louis-Marc Aubry
No scoring Third period No scoring
Danny aus den Birken (25 saves / 29 shots) Goalie stats Michael Garteig (38 saves / 39 shots)
22 April 2021 ERC Ingolstadt 5–4 OT EHC Red Bull München Saturn Arena, Ingolstadt Recap  
Ryan Kuffner – 19:23 First period 11:26 – Daryl Boyle
Tim Wohlgemuth – 24:57 Second period 26:47 – John-Jason Peterka
31:48 – Yasin Ehliz (PP)
38:00 – Andrew Ebbett
Wayne Simpson – 49:44
Louis-Marc Aubry (PP) – 50:51
Third period No scoring
Brandon Defazio – 62:00 First overtime period No scoring
Michael Garteig (31 saves / 35 shots) Goalie stats Danny aus den Birken (25 saves / 30 shots)
Ingolstadt won series 2–0


Semifinals

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The semifinals were played between 26 and 29 April 2021 in a best-of-three format.

Eisbären Berlin vs ERC Ingolstadt

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26 April 2021 Eisbären Berlin 3–4 ERC Ingolstadt Mercedes-Benz Arena, Berlin Recap  
Mark Olver – 01:56 First period 10:15 – Louis-Marc Aubry (PP)
19:01 – Louis-Marc Aubry
Matt White – 29:25 Second period 37:56 – Morgan Ellis
Leonhard Pföderl – 44:11 Third period 40:43 – Louis-Marc Aubry (PP)
Mathias Niederberger (24 saves / 28 shots) Goalie stats Michael Garteig (37 saves / 40 shots)
28 April 2021 ERC Ingolstadt 2–3 Eisbären Berlin Saturn Arena, Ingolstadt Recap  
Tim Wohlgemuth – 00:57 First period 09:06 – Leonhard Pföderl
Mirko Höfflin – 26:48 Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 49:18 – Matt White (PP)
58:57 – Ryan McKiernan
Michael Garteig (31 saves / 34 shots) Goalie stats Mathias Niederberger (19 saves / 21 shots)
30 April 2021 Eisbären Berlin 4–2 ERC Ingolstadt Mercedes-Benz Arena, Berlin Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
John Ramage – 30:58
Ryan McKiernan – 33:05
Second period 23:32 – Louis-Marc Aubry (PP2)
27:35 – Ryan Kuffner
Matt White – 49:42
Giovanni Fiore – 57:42
Third period No scoring
Mathias Niederberger (46 saves / 48 shots) Goalie stats Michael Garteig (40 saves / 44 shots)
Berlin won series 2–1


Adler Mannheim vs Grizzlys Wolfsburg

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26 April 2021 Adler Mannheim 4–1 Grizzlys Wolfsburg SAP Arena, Mannheim Recap  
Andrew Desjardins (PP2) – 13:42 First period No scoring
Ben Smith (PP) – 35:35 Second period 23:26 – Spencer Machacek (PP)
Felix Schütz – 53:57
Ben Smith (EN) – 58:19
Third period No scoring
Dennis Endras (13 saves / 14 shots) Goalie stats Dustin Strahlmeier (31 saves / 35 shots)
28 April 2021 Grizzlys Wolfsburg 2–1 OT Adler Mannheim Eis Arena Wolfsburg, Wolfsburg Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 38:23 – Mark Katic
Sebastian Furchner (PP) – 46:53 Third period No scoring
Anthony Rech – 65:05 First overtime period No scoring
Dustin Strahlmeier (32 saves / 33 shots) Goalie stats Dennis Endras (17 saves / 19 shots)
30 April 2021 Adler Mannheim 1–2 Grizzlys Wolfsburg SAP Arena, Mannheim Recap  
Denis Reul – 03:51 First period 13:52 – Spencer Machacek
No scoring Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 56:17 – Max Görtz
Dennis Endras (19 saves / 21 shots) Goalie stats Dustin Strahlmeier (23 saves / 24 shots)
Wolfsburg won series 2–1


Final

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The final was played between 2 and 7 May 2021 in a best-of-three format.


2 May 2021 Eisbären Berlin 2–3 OT Grizzlys Wolfsburg Mercedes-Benz Arena, Berlin Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 33:04 – Gerrit Fauser (PP)
Marcel Noebels (PP) – 54:25
Zachary Boychuk (EA) – 59:22
Third period 57:42 – Garrett Festerling
No scoring First overtime period 77:59 – Julian Melchiori
Mathias Niederberger (40 saves / 43 shots) Goalie stats Dustin Strahlmeier (41 saves / 43 shots)
5 May 2021 Grizzlys Wolfsburg 1–4 Eisbären Berlin Eis Arena Wolfsburg, Wolfsburg Recap  
No scoring First period 16:37 – Frank Hördler
Gerrit Fauser (PP) – 37:44 Second period 27:13 – Ryan McKiernan
30:54 – Sebastian Streu
No scoring Third period 58:13 – Lukas Reichel (EN)
Dustin Strahlmeier (21 saves / 25 shots) Goalie stats Mathias Niederberger (26 saves / 27 shots)
7 May 2021 Eisbären Berlin 2–1 Grizzlys Wolfsburg Mercedes-Benz Arena, Berlin Recap  
Mark Olver – 01:49 First period 02:14 – Mathis Olimb
Leonhard Pföderl – 23:19 Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period No scoring
Mathias Niederberger (19 saves / 20 shots) Goalie stats Dustin Strahlmeier (27 saves / 29 shots)
Berlin won series 2–1


Awards and statistics

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Awards

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The awards were announced on 2 May 2021.[9][4]

Award Player
Player of the year   Marcel Noebels
Goaltender of the year   Joacim Eriksson
Defenceman of the year   Marcel Brandt
Forward of the year   Marcel Noebels
Rookie of the year   Florian Elias
Coach of the year   Thomas Popiesch
Finals MVP   Ryan McKiernan

Scoring leaders

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List shows the top skaters sorted by points, then goals.

Player Team GP G A Pts +/− PIM POS
Joe Whitney Iserlohn Roosters 37 21 24 45 0 22 F
Casey Bailey Iserlohn Roosters 37 20 24 44 +3 56 F
Jason Akeson Kölner Haie 38 12 32 44 +2 8 F
Chris Bourque EHC Red Bull München 38 7 35 42 +23 26 F
Marcel Noebels Eisbären Berlin 36 6 35 42 +17 12 F
Trevor Parkes EHC Red Bull München 38 23 18 41 +22 16 F
Matt White Eisbären Berlin 38 19 20 39 +15 10 F
Alexandre Grenier Iserlohn Roosters 35 12 27 39 −1 12 F
Yasin Ehliz EHC Red Bull München 38 19 19 38 +19 28 F
Jon Matsumoto Kölner Haie 37 16 22 38 +7 22 F

Leading goaltenders

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Only the top five goaltenders, based on save percentage, who have played at least 40% of their team's minutes, are included in this list.

Player Team TOI GA GAA SA Sv% SO
Felix Brueckmann Adler Mannheim 1096 28 1.53 437 93.6 4
Joacim Eriksson Schwenninger Wild Wings 1812 74 2.45 1074 93.1 2
Tomáš Pöpperle Fischtown Pinguins 743 29 2.34 382 92.4 0
Dustin Strahlmeier Grizzlys Wolfsburg 1402 49 2.10 636 92.3 2
Mathias Niederberger Eisbären Berlin 1609 57 2.13 735 92.2 5

References

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  1. ^ "Saisonstart am 13. November 2020". del.org. 4 August 2020.
  2. ^ "PENNY DEL kann am 13. November 2020 nicht starten". del.org. 2 October 2020.
  3. ^ a b "PENNY DEL Saison 2020/21 startet mit 14 Clubs". del.org. 19 November 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Eisbären holen achten Titel in der PENNY DEL". del.org. 7 May 2021.
  5. ^ "Alle 14 Clubs erhalten Lizenz – PENNY DEL verschiebt Saisonstart". del.org. 9 July 2020.
  6. ^ "Profi-Eishockey führt Auf- und Abstieg wieder ein". del.org. 27 July 2018.
  7. ^ "PENNY DEL und DEL2 einigen sich über Auf- und Abstieg für die Saison 2021/22". del.org. 23 October 2018.
  8. ^ "Straubing Tigers gegen Iserlohn Roosters wird nicht nachgeholt". penny-del.org. 18 April 2021.
  9. ^ "Marcel Noebels ist Spieler des Jahres der PENNY DEL". del.org. 2 May 2021.
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