Spencer Kestner needed just 35 seconds after Bremerhaven’s third-period equalizer to put Straubing back in front. His second goal of the night proved decisive in a 4-3 victory at Straubing Pulverturm, where the Tigers traded the lead with Bremerhaven before closing out their third consecutive win.
The game also marked Stefan Loibl’s 500th appearance in the German Ice Hockey League. Straubing celebrated the milestone with a result that rewarded a strong performance, even as Bremerhaven kept finding answers and Kristers Gudlevskis turned aside a number of chances.
How the Game Played Out
Bremerhaven struck first through Nino Kinder, who recovered after losing his stick and then broke away to beat Florian Bugl. It was the visitors’ first opportunity, and Kinder made it count. Straubing had started on the front foot, however, and Marcel Brandt soon supplied the response: the defenseman drove forward on a solo effort, finishing into the short corner to level the score.
Adrian Klein then put the Tigers ahead before the end of an eventful first period. Joseph Duet helped set up the chance, and Klein’s finish gave Straubing a 2-1 lead. Bremerhaven answered through Parker Tuomie, who came out of the penalty box and sent the puck into the top corner to make it 2-2. Four goals in the opening period set up a more measured middle frame.
The second period brought fewer chances, but both teams came close to changing the score. Straubing’s Jameson Rees tested Gudlevskis while shorthanded, only for the goaltender to make the stop. At the other end, Tuomie nearly scored again on the power play, but his shot hit the crossbar with Bugl beaten. The teams entered the final period still tied.
Straubing broke the deadlock on a power play when Kestner finished a setup from Bodan Glew. The Tigers were back in front at 3-2, but Bremerhaven responded with a well-worked combination that ended with Tuomie scoring his second goal of the game to tie it again. Straubing’s defense was caught out on the play, and Tuomie took full advantage.
The back-and-forth did not last long. Just 35 seconds after Tuomie’s equalizer, Kestner struck again, using a backhand to beat the Bremerhaven defense and make it 4-3. It was his second goal of the night and his third of the season. Bremerhaven pushed for another response, with Kinder getting a late opportunity, but Bugl made the save to preserve Straubing’s lead.
What the Result Means
Straubing’s win extended its streak to three victories in a row. The Tigers were described as the better side for much of the contest, and their ability to answer Bremerhaven’s goals kept that advantage on the scoreboard. Brandt and Klein provided first-period goals, while Kestner supplied the two late finishes that ultimately settled a game neither team allowed to drift away.
For Bremerhaven, the defeat marked a third consecutive game without points. The visitors showed resilience by twice coming back to tie the score, and Tuomie’s two goals kept the pressure on Straubing through the final period. But after Kestner’s quick response, Bremerhaven could not find another equalizer before the final save.
The match also offered a welcome moment for Loibl, whose 500th DEL game was recognized in a home-ice pre-game ceremony before he led the postgame celebration. With players gradually returning and Straubing carrying a three-game winning run, both teams will look to build on what this close contest revealed in their next outings.
Watch the Highlights
Watch the key goals, power-play chances and Bugl’s late stop in the official MAGENTA SPORT highlights. The video captures the full swing of a game that was tied twice before Kestner delivered the final blow.
Final Score: Straubing Tigers 4, Bremerhaven 3.
Final Score: Straubing Tigers 4, Fischtown Pinguins Bremerhaven 3.
Source: MAGENTA SPORT highlight transcript + Highlightly match data