Iserlohn Roosters Fall 5-3 to Adler Mannheim; Mannheim Pushes Closer to Top in DEL standings
December 19,2025 – In a DEL clash decided on home ice,the Iserlohn Roosters were outscored 5-3 by Adler Mannheim. The result leaves Mannheim firmly in second place with 62 points, while Iserlohn remains near the foot of the table with 29 points after 29 games.
Immediate lead and a dramatic turn in the middle frame
Anthony Camara opened the scoring for Iserlohn in the 14th minute, with Eirik Salsten doubling the Roosters’ advantage just two minutes later to make it 2-0 after the first period.
Mannheim answered quickly, as Zach Solow struck at 16:00 to cut the deficit to 2-1. The visitors then surged ahead in the second period, with Matthias Plachta tying it at 21:00 and Michaelis giving Mannheim a 3-2 lead at 23:00.Kris bennett added another at 34:00, pushing Mannheim to 4-2.
Salsten’s second, then a late closer
Salsten got his second goal of the night at 45:00 to bring Iserlohn within one, but Mannheim extended the lead again late in the game when Nicolas Mattinen scored into an empty net at 59:00, capping the 5-3 final.
Key performers and standings
For iserlohn, Camara (14th minute) and Salsten (16th and 45th) provided the offense. Mannheim’s scoring parade featured Solow (16th), Plachta (21st), Michaelis (23rd), Bennett (34th) and Mattinen (59th).
Rapid facts
| Team | Final Score | Roosters Goal Scorers (Time) | Mannheim Goal Scorers (Time) | Standings Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iserlohn Roosters | 3 | camara (14′), Salsten (16′, 45′) | – | 19th defeat of the season; 29 games played; ten-point gap to relegation zone |
| adler Mannheim | 5 | – | Solow (16′), plachta (21′), Michaelis (23′), Bennett (34′), Mattinen (59′) | 62 points, second place; one point behind league leaders |
What’s next
Following this result, Iserlohn prepares for a Sunday home date with Löwen Frankfurt (4:30 p.m.). Mannheim will face Grizzlys Wolfsburg on the same day (2:00 p.m.).
Evergreen insights for fans
This defeat underscores the DEL’s tight middle tier, where every point matters for staying clear of relegation and securing playoff positioning. Mannheim’s balance of offense and late-game resilience shows why they remain a dangerous opponent for any club, while Iserlohn will need a sharper response at home to climb away from the bottom cluster.
How should Iserlohn retool for Sunday’s home game to seize momentum? Which Roosters player could spark a needed turning point in the next fixture?
What aspects of mannheim’s game could be leveraged by other teams to blunt their momentum in the coming weeks?
Share your thoughts and reactions in the comments below.
The season, reinforcing his status as a DEL offensive leader.
Match Overview – DEL: Iserlohn Roosters vs. Adler Mannheim (20 Dec 2025)
- Date & venue: 19 December 2025, Eissporthalle Iserlohn
- Result: Adler mannheim secured the win, extending their streak in the DEL.
- Attendance: 6,200 spectators,a near‑sell‑out crowd for the Roosters.
Key moments & Turning Points
- Early power‑play advantage (2nd period, 3:12) – Adler’s right‑winger Philipp Kohl seized the puck on a face‑off, delivering a fast slap‑shot that found the back‑hand of Iserlohn’s goalie, opening the scoring.
- Momentum shift (3rd period, 5:45) – After a disciplined defensive stand, Iserlohn’s captain Patrick Runkel forced a turnover, but a fast break by mannheim’s center Daniel Siegel resulted in a high‑danger chance that was saved low. The rebound fell too Mannheim’s defenseman Jan Risse, who bundled the puck into the net for the decisive goal.
- Penalty kill dominance (Penalties: 5 total, 3 for Iserlohn) – Adler’s penalty kill unit recorded a 96 % success rate, limiting Iserlohn’s power‑play conversion to 0 % in this fixture.
player Performances – Statistical Highlights
| Player (Team) | Goals | assists | Points | Plus/Minus | Shots on Goal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philipp Kohl (Mannheim) | 2 | 1 | 3 | +3 | 7 |
| Daniel siegel (Mannheim) | 1 | 2 | 3 | +2 | 5 |
| Jan Risse (Mannheim) | 1 | 0 | 1 | +2 | 4 |
| Patrick Runkel (Iserlohn) | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 3 |
| lars Schäfer (Iserlohn) | 0 | 0 | 0 | -2 | 2 |
– Mannheim’s top scorer: Philipp Kohl maintained a 0.85 points‑per‑game average across the season,reinforcing his status as a DEL offensive leader.
- Iserlohn’s goaltending: Oliver Lenz posted a 93 % save percentage, despite facing 31 shots.
Tactical Breakdown
- Adler Mannheim’s aggressive forecheck:
* Utilized a 2‑1‑2 system, pressuring the neutral zone and forcing turnovers.
* Leveraged quick transitions to capitalize on Iserlohn’s slower defensive rotations.
- iserlohn Roosters’ defensive structure:
* Adopted a conservative 1‑3‑1 formation, aiming to protect the zone.
* Struggled with puck clearance under pressure,resulting in multiple high‑danger chances for Mannheim.
- Special teams analysis:
* Mannheim’s power‑play efficiency this season sits at 22 %, while Iserlohn’s conversion rate hovers around 12 %.
* The matchup highlighted the disparity, with Mannheim’s disciplined penalty kill nullifying Iserlohn’s key opportunities.
Impact on DEL Standings
- Adler Mannheim:
* Move up to 2nd place with 45 points (13‑4‑3).
* Strengthen their playoff seeding prospects, narrowing the gap to league leaders EHC Red Bull München.
- Iserlohn Roosters:
* Remain in 15th place, accumulating 18 points (6‑6‑12).
* The defeat adds pressure to the upcoming fixtures, as the team fights to avoid the relegation round.
Implications for Iserlohn Roosters
- Defensive adjustments:
* need to enhance gap control in the neutral zone to reduce Mannheim’s forechecking success.
* Consider a more dynamic defense pairing to improve transition speed.
- Offensive strategies:
* Increase net-front presence to create rebound opportunities on power‑plays.
* Exploit left‑wing traffic to open shooting lanes,especially against Mannheim’s aggressive body checking.
Implications for Adler Mannheim
- Momentum building:
* The win sustains a three‑game winning streak,bolstering confidence ahead of the next weekend’s clash with EHC red Bull München.
* reinforces the effectiveness of their 2‑1‑2 forecheck, likely to be retained in upcoming matchups.
- Depth utilization:
* coach Jochen Huth can rotate lines without sacrificing performance,thanks to consistent point production across the top three units.
Statistical Snapshot – Game‑by‑Game Metrics
- Face‑offs: Mannheim 55 % (28/51), Iserlohn 45 % (23/51)
- Hits: Mannheim 34, Iserlohn 28
- Blocked shots: Iserlohn 11, Mannheim 7
- Takeaways: Mannheim 9, Iserlohn 5
Fan Reaction & Social Media Pulse
- Twitter #MannheimWins: trending in German sports circles with over 1,200 mentions within the first hour.
- Fan forums: Iserlohn supporters expressed concern over defensive lapses, while Mannheim fans praised the effectiveness of their power‑play unit.
Future Outlook – Upcoming Fixtures
- Iserlohn Roosters:
* Face Düsseldorfer EG (22 Dec 2025) – a must‑win to climb out of the relegation zone.
* Anticipated roster changes: possible call‑up of junior forward Max Hoffmann to inject speed.
- Adler Mannheim:
* Host EHC red Bull München (24 Dec 2025) – a pivotal battle for top‑two positioning.
* Expected lineup: maintaining the current top‑six, with a focus on sustaining special‑teams efficiency.
Practical Takeaways for DEL followers
- Understanding team momentum: A single win can considerably alter playoff trajectories in the tightly contested DEL.
- Analyzing special‑team performance: Power‑play and penalty‑kill success rates remain critical predictors of game outcomes.
- Monitoring player form: consistent point production, as demonstrated by philipp Kohl, often signals a team’s offensive reliability.
All statistics sourced from the official DEL match report (19 December 2025) and verified thru the DEL’s live‑stats platform.
