Kölner Haie went down a goal early on but bounces back with a strong middle-frame response and weathered KAC Klagenfurt’s late push to secure a 3-1 victory and their ticket to the Champions Hockey League Playoffs. They will also head into Game Day 5 unbeaten with four wins to their name - what a return to the European stage for them!

Klagenfurt drew first blood seven minutes into the opening frame as Raphael Herburger broke through, staking the visitors to an early lead. Cologne then turned things around in the middle frame with relentless special-teams pressure, as Patrick Russell scored twice to secure a 2-1 advantage.

The final frame exploded into a high-stakes drama right out of the gate when Cologne’s goal was wiped off the board following a tense Coach’s Challenge for goalkeeper interference. Both teams kept trading penalties, but the score remained locked in a tight battle as time wound down.

Cologne then slammed the door shut in the closing minutes as Marcel Noebels struck to seal the victory at 3-1. Klagenfurt pulled their goalie in a desperate final attempt to find a spark, but that wasn’t enough to change the outcome.