2002–03 DEL season

The 2002–03 Deutsche Eishockey Liga season was the 9th season since the founding of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (German Ice Hockey League). The Krefeld Pinguine became German Champions. The Schwenninger ERC Wild Wings lost their license due to insolvency proceedings and the Frankfurt Lions were granted a stay in the league.

2002–03 Deutsche Eishockey Liga season
LeagueDeutsche Eishockey Liga
SportIce hockey
Number of teams14
2002-03
Season championsKrefeld Pinguine

Regular season

The eight best-placed teams in the regular season would enter playoffs, while the last two teams would have to fight relegation in a playdown series.

Team GP W SOW SOL L GF:GA Points
1.Eisbären Berlin5230598188:134109
2.Kölner Haie52264157151:117101
3.DEG Metro Stars522410414151:11796
4.Adler Mannheim52258316152:12994
5.Nürnberg Ice Tigers52237616133:12789
6.Krefeld Pinguine52208222147:13378
7.Kassel Huskies52197719118:12778
8.Hamburg Freezers521710619154:15277
9.Iserlohn Roosters52178819142:13275
10.Hannover Scorpions52185524142:15069
11.Augsburger Panther52166624127:14666
12.ERC Ingolstadt52165724122:13565
13.Frankfurt Lions52146626133:17160
14.Schwenninger ERC Wild Wings5246113199:18435
GP = Games played, W = Win, SOW = Shootout win, SOL = Shootout loss, L = Loss
   = Qualified for playoffs    = Season ended    = Relegation playdown

Playdown

The two last-placed teams, the Frankfurt Lions and Schwenninger ERC Wild Wings played a playdown best-of-seven series against relegation.

Game1234567
Frankfurt LionsSchwenninger ERC Wild Wings2:43:61:26:44:34:72:3

Despite the Lions having a 25-point advantage in the regular season, the Wild Wings won the playdown series. However, as insolvency proceedings against the Wild Wings opened, the DEL canceled their license and the Lions were allowed to stay in the league.

Playoffs

Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
         
1 Eisbären Berlin 4
8 Hamburg Freezers 1
1 Eisbären Berlin 1
6 Krefeld Pinguine 3
3 DEG Metro Stars 1
6 Krefeld Pinguine 4
2 Kölner Haie 2
6 Krefeld Pinguine 3
2 Kölner Haie 4
7 Kassel Huskies 3
2 Kölner Haie 3
4 Adler Mannheim 0
4 Adler Mannheim 4
5 Nürnberg Ice Tigers 1

Quarterfinals

Starting March 12, 2003, the quarterfinals were played in a best-of-seven series.

Game1234567
Eisbären BerlinHamburg Freezers4:15:25:6 SO3:22:14:0
Kölner HaieKassel Huskies4:31:33:12:14:54:12:35:1
DEG Metro StarsKrefeld Pinguine1:41:25:6 OT1:02:51:4
Adler MannheimNürnberg Ice Tigers4:15:41:65:14:23:0
OT = Overtime; SO = Shootout

Semifinals

On March 28, 2003, the quarterfinals best-of-five series opened.

Game12345
Eisbären BerlinKrefeld Pinguine1:34:12:40:11:4
Kölner HaieAdler Mannheim3:03:25:34:3 OT
OT = Overtime; SO = Shootout

The big surprise was the loss of Eisbären Berlin (Berlin Polar Bears) to the Krefeld Pinguine (Krefeld Penguins). The Eisbären were considered a strong favorite as they finished the regular season with 109 points vs. the Penguins 78.

Finals

The final series started April 11, 2003 with a homegame for the Kölner Haie who were the higher placed team after the regular season.

Game12345
Kölner HaieKrefeld Pinguine2:32:52:33:23:2 OT1:3
OT = Overtime; SO = Shootout

With this, the Krefeld Pinguine won the German title for the second time in their history. They almost accomplished this feat with a playoff sweep; this was somewhat unexpected, as their regular season record was not indicative of the playoff performance.

Top players

CategoryNameTeamRecord
Most pointsUnited States Mark BeaufaitEisbären Berlin54 Points
Most goalsAustria Christoph BrandnerKrefeld Pinguine28 Goals
Most assistsCanada Brad PurdieKrefeld Pinguine41 Assists
Best goaliCanada Frédéric ChabotNürnberg Ice Tigers0.945
Best defenderCanada Jeff ToryHamburg Freezers46 Points

References

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