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The Army’s Baden Bruins are taking on the Air Force’s KMC Eagles Saturday in a winner-takes-all hockey game.
The 2008 U.S. Air Forces in Europe champions, the Baden Bruins, who dominated Die Players Liga, the German league, last season, will face their toughest opponents yet – the current and dominating 2009 USAFE champions, the KMC Eagles.
The KMC Eagles, who dethroned the Bruins in February at the USAFE Championships, have been dominating the DPL league all season.
Their rise to the top is much attributed to their organizational growth and, of course, acquisition of top-notch college-level hockey players.
Eagles President Todd Poynter has made it a point to recruit and build the largest possible hockey program in the KMC area.
The KMC Eagles have not won the coveted USAFE title since its inception back in 1992. This year, however, the Eagles soared through the competition going undefeated in the tournament.
In the last five years, the Eagles have been working diligently to build a program that could not only compete in the highly regarded DPL league, but be recognized as the top military team in Europe. The Baden Bruins, on the other hand, have won the USAFE title twice and have dominated the German league for years.
Last year, the Bruins were red hot as they swept the competition at both Garmisch and the DPL.
The Bruins are coached by ex-Hartford Whaler Bob Sullivan.
This season, however, the Bruins’ only loss was at the hands of the improved KMC Eagles.
It’s a classic battle of Army tradition versus Air Force pride. Come April 4, the Bruins plan to revenge their only loss of the season.
The KMC Eagles, however, are determined to keep their winning streak alive and win the most prestigious of titles – the 2009 DPL Championship title.
The Bruins-Eagles Division I Champion-ship game will take place at 9 p.m. April 4 at the SAP Arena in Mannheim. The Division II game is scheduled at 7 p.m.
For more information about the DPL or the military teams, visit www.dpliga.com.
