Kolner vs Frankfurt Lowen

Both sides used the contest as their final pre-season tune-up before competitive action begins. Köln entered the match on the back of a 4–0 shutout of Krefeld Pinguine on 22 August, while Frankfurt arrived after securing third place at the Gäuboden Cup in Straubing with a 3–1 win over Nürnberg Ice Tigers on 23 August.

Köln seized control early and built a multi-goal lead before the first intermission. By the time the final buzzer sounded, the scoreboard read 5–1 — a margin that reflected the hosts' superior sharpness in their new system under head coach Kari Jalonen.

Frankfurt entered the match with several key absences — Fabio Kose (injured), Brandon Biro (rested) and Dominik Uher (injured) were all unavailable, as confirmed by the Löwen's pre-match preview. The missing personnel disrupted Tom Pokel's plans, and Köln capitalised in the opening period. The early multi-goal lead forced Frankfurt to chase the game, opening space for Köln's transition play.

Köln's new-look roster — featuring summer arrivals Marcel Noebels (from Eisbären Berlin), Robin Press (Metallurg Magnitogorsk) and Markus Ljungh (Linköping HC) — showed growing chemistry. Press, the Swedish defenceman who also scored against Krefeld on 22 August, again delivered at both ends of the ice. Goaltender Janne Juvonen, who recorded a shutout against Krefeld, provided a solid last line.

For Frankfurt, new US goaltender Adam Scheel faced heavy traffic and kept the scoreline from ballooning further, while former Kölner Robin Van Calster played against his childhood club.

Player of the Match: Robin Press (Kölner Haie) — the Swedish defenceman was involved at both ends, scoring and stabilising the blue line.

Köln completed their home pre-season with three wins from three at the Haie-Zentrum (3–1 vs Iserlohn on 14 Aug, 4–0 vs Krefeld on 22 Aug, and this 5–1 result). Across all friendlies, including the Landshut tournament where they split a 3–4 penalty shootout loss and a 4–0 win, the Sharks outscored opponents 16–6 in five games.

Frankfurt, by contrast, finished their pre-season road trip at 1–2 (4–6 vs Wolfsburg, 3–1 vs Nürnberg, 1–5 vs Köln), with defensive cohesion still a work in progress.

For Köln, the result caps a productive pre-season and provides momentum heading into their CHL campaign, which begins on 3 September at Red Bull Salzburg, followed by a trip to Tappara Tampere on 5 September. The DEL regular season starts on 17–18 September.

Frankfurt return home to continue preparations ahead of the DEL season opener. They face Augsburger Panther in another friendly on 4 September.

Köln looked a step ahead in fitness and system execution, as expected of a side that began its pre-season a week earlier. Frankfurt's absences limited the test's competitive value, but the Haie's transition play and depth — especially through new arrivals Press and Noebels — will worry DEL opponents when the real games begin.