EHC Neuwied Rallies from Two-Goal Deficit to Win CEHL Championship
EHC Die Bären Neuwied vs. UltimAir Hijs Hokij, March 29, 2026, at Ice House Neuwied Arena. Photo by Sorina Popa.
Written by Gina Anton
NEUWIED, Germany — EHC Die Bären Neuwied staged a dramatic comeback to defeat UltimAir Hijs Hokij 3-2 in overtime, capturing the 2025-26 CEHL championship before a lively home crowd at Ice House Neuwied Arena. The victory capped a season defined by resilience and clutch performances.
Hijs Hokij entered the championship game as favorites, coming off a strong playoff run and a season that saw them dominate in both offense and possession metrics. They started the game aggressively, opening the scoring at 7:43 of the first period when Wesley de Bruijn capitalized on a rebound, assisted by Tobie Collard and Cody Monds. Just under eight minutes later, Bartek Bison extended the team’s lead to 2-0 with a slick shot, assisted by Jordy Van Oorschot and Raymond van der Schuit. For much of the first period, Hijs Hokij controlled play, generating sustained pressure and outshooting Neuwied on several key sequences.
Neuwied, however, began turning the momentum in the second period. Though they were unable to score before intermission, the team increased their forecheck intensity and tightened defensive coverage, forcing Hijs Hokij to make riskier passes and take lower-percentage shots. Goaltender Felix Kollejan was critical, making several highlight-reel saves that kept Neuwied within striking distance.
The third period became a showcase of Neuwied’s resilience. Janeck Sperling broke through at 17:49, cutting the deficit in a play that saw him drive the net and beat Mario Culina with a quick shot. Later, Christian Sprez delivered the equalizer at 49:45, finishing a passing sequence with assists from Marcus Götz and Philip Kecojevic. Neuwied’s balanced attack and opportunistic positioning neutralized Hijs Hokij’s initial edge, setting the stage for a tense overtime.
Sudden-death overtime lived up to the hype. At 63:24, Artjom Alexandrov fired the puck that beat Kollejan, sending the arena into pandemonium and cementing Neuwied’s first CEHL championship.
"We started off a little bit roughly. The Hauge was better at the start. Felix kept us in with a couple of good saves, but then again we kept believing," said EHC Neuwied’s head coach Jeffrey van Iersel
"We never gave up. That's what we showed in the third period. We gave ourselves the chance to do it again in overtime, and we did," said Iersal.
Neuwied’s triumph highlighted the depth and versatility of their roster. Players like Sprez and Alexandrov demonstrated not just scoring ability but a high hockey IQ in defensive responsibilities and transition plays. Hijs Hokij, despite a strong start, could not maintain their offensive dominance late in the game and were unable to capitalize on two power-play opportunities, underscoring the disciplined defensive schemes deployed by Neuwied.
Three Stars of the Game:
Artjom Alexandrov (EHC Die Bären Neuwied) – OT game-winner, relentless forecheck and pivotal in the comeback.
Christian Sprez (EHC Die Bären Neuwied) – Game-tying goal and steady defensive play.
Wesley de Bruijn (UltimAir Hijs Hokij) – Opened the scoring, aggressive offense, 1 goal and 1 assist.
The championship victory is likely to propel Neuwied into the European hockey spotlight, signaling the rise of a team capable of combining defensive discipline with opportunistic scoring. Hijs Hokij, meanwhile, will be left to analyze how a strong early lead slipped away, learning lessons that may drive adjustments for next season.
