The 1997–98 Deutsche Eishockey Liga season was the 4th season of the (German Ice Hockey League).
Adler Mannheim became the DEL Champion for the second time in a row, winning a German title for the third time in their history. The season had its share of instability. After the 15th regular season round, the Kaufbeurer Adler were insolvent and the Düsseldorfer EG left the league after season end.
Regular season As in the previous season two rounds/phases were played. In the first round, all teams played one home and one away game with each other for a total of 28 rounds. The first 6 placed teams continued playing for the playoff placements ). The 9 last placed teams had to fight it out for the last 2 playoff spots.
Phase I Team GP W T L OTL GF:GA Points1. Adler Mannheim 2820215111:74432. Düsseldorfer EG 2820008113:88403. EV Landshut 2818217100:64394. Frankfurt Lions 2816417 92:74375. Eisbären Berlin 2815409 97:79346. Kölner Haie 2814419104:94337. Krefeld Pinguine 28142111 85:84318. Hannover Scorpions 28123211 88:96299. Schwenninger ERC Wild Wings 28115210 98:1002910. Berlin Capitals 28112411 73:812811. Kassel Huskies 28102313 82:862512. Nürnberg Ice Tigers 2892215 93:1072213. Revierlöwen Oberhausen 2893116 81:1032214. Augsburger Panther 28100216 78:1072215. Starbulls Rosenheim 2831024 70:138716. Kaufbeurer Adler disqualified GP = Games, W = Win, T = Tie, L = Loss, OTL = Overtime loss, GF:GA = Goals for : Goals against = Continue play for playoff spots, = Continue qualifications for last 2 playoff spots, = Disqualified
Phase II - "Meisterrunde" Team GP W T L OTL GF:GA Points1. Eisbären Berlin 48276114179:139612. Frankfurt Lions 48276114160:126613. Kölner Haie 48266214160:1474604. Adler Mannheim 48263316170:145585. Düsseldorfer EG 48271218166:164576. EV Landshut 48254217148:11856 GP = Games, W = Win, T = Tie, L = Loss, OTL = Overtime loss, GF:GA = Goals for : Goals against
Phase II Two teams qualified for the playoff spots 7 and 8.
Team GP W T L OTL GF:GA Points1. Hannover Scorpions 44226214160:142522. Berlin Capitals 44197414136:119493. Schwenninger ERC Wild Wings 44195317157:148464. Kassel Huskies 44193418140:128455. Krefeld Pinguine 44186119126:141436. Nürnberg Ice Tigers 44184220126:141427. Augsburger Panther 44162224122:160368. Revierlöwen Oberhausen 44144125132:184339. Starbulls Rosenheim 4463035105:20415 GP = Games, W = Win, T = Tie, L = Loss, OTL = Overtime loss, GF:GA = Goals For : Goals Against Color code: = Playoff = Season end
Round 1 playoff qualifications The first round of playoff qualifications was played as a best-of-five series. Game 1 2 3 4 5 Hannover Scorpions – Revier Löwen Oberhausen 3:0 6:2 5:2 5:4 – – Berlin Capitals – Augsburger Panther 1:3 3:2 1:3 0:2 1:4 – Schwenninger ERC Wild Wings – Nürnberg Ice Tigers 3:2 6:2 4:5 OT 5:2 2:4 6:2 Kassel Huskies – Krefeld Pinguine 1:3 3:5 2:5 5:3 1:2 – OT = Overtime; SO = Shootout
Round 2 Playoff Qualifications The second round of playoff qualifications was played as a best-of-three series.
Game 1 2 3 Hannover Scorpions – Augsburger Panther 2:0 4:3 5:2 – Schwenninger ERC Wild Wings – Krefeld Pinguine 1:2 4:3 2:6 2:5 OT = Overtime; SO = Shootout
The Hannover Scorpions and Krefeld Pinguine qualified for the playoffs.
Playoff The playoffs were played in a best-of-five format.
Quarterfinals Game 1 2 3 4 5 Eisbären Berlin – Krefeld Pinguine 3:0 4:3 OT 4:3 n.V. 5:1 – – Frankfurt Lions – Hannover Scorpions 3:1 4:3 OT 4:1 2:4 4:2 – Kölner Haie – EV Landshut 0:3 3:4 OT 1:9 4:3 SO – – Adler Mannheim – Düsseldorfer EG 3:0 7:2 4:3 6:1 – – OT = Overtime; SO = Shootout
Semifinals Game 1 2 3 4 5 Eisbären Berlin – EV Landshut 3:0 7:4 2:1 2:0 – – Frankfurt Lions – Adler Mannheim 0:3 2:6 1:5 3:4 SO – – OT = Overtime; SO = Shootout
Finals Game 1 2 3 4 5 Eisbären Berlin – Adler Mannheim 1:3 0:2 2:4 8:7 1:4 – OT = Overtime; SO = Shootout
With the last game, Adler Mannheim became repeat DEL Champion and won the German Champion title for the third time in the club's history.
Player awards Category Name Team Record Most points Mark MacKay Schwenninger ERC Wild Wings 57 Points Best goalie Petr Bříza EV Landshut 2.41 Goals-Against-Average Best defender Marc West Revierlöwen Oberhausen 42 Points
References