professionals // Saturday, 02/18/2023
It could be ERC Ingolstadt’s last derby against the Augsburg Panthers for an indefinite period. On Sunday (4:30 p.m.) the blue and whites will play their fourth duel against the AEV in the Curt Frenzel Stadium. The hosts can no longer leave the last two places in the table and are now dependent on outside help to stay up.
Two trios in top form
With yesterday’s 3-1 home win against Düsseldorf, the ERC scored important points to secure a place in the top four and, with Charles Bertrand and Enrico Henriquez, was able to add two more recently injured professionals to the lineup. This is worth its weight in gold not only with regard to the playoffs, but also against the background of the intensive program up to the end of the main round. The two formations Daniel Pietta, Ty Ronning and Tye McGinn as well as Justin Feser, Frederik Storm and Marko Friedrich worked very well in the past two games. Otherwise, the coaching team is still tinkering a bit with the storm formations and also made one or two changes during the game against DEG.
The same staff will be available for the derby against Augsburg as on Friday. Wayne Simpson, Stefan Matteau and Ben Marshall continue to work hard on their comeback.
Avoid last place
For the people of Augsburg, the saving bank has finally gotten out of reach in the past few weeks. The gap to the Eisbären Berlin, who are ahead of them, is now 21 points with seven games still to play. In the final sprint of the season, the focus of the Fuggerstadt team is on keeping the Bietigheim Steelers behind, because the bottom of the PENNY DEL is relegated directly to the DEL2, while the penultimate team has to hope that Kassel, Krefeld or Dresden won’t become champions in the second division . The advantage that the Bavarian Swabians have over the tail light is a seven-point lead with less games played.
The team from Lech was stuck in the bottom of the table throughout the season. They are the second weakest team in the league both offensively and defensively. The change of coach from Peter Russell to Kai Suikkanen hasn’t changed that. Only in the power play was the DEL founding member consistently strong and with a success rate of 25.45 percent he is extremely dangerous. However, the lack of effectiveness when tied on the ice underlines the plus-minus balance. All Augsburg professionals have a negative value. And they have even lost their otherwise reliable home strength. Only Bietigheim was able to score fewer points in its own hall than the AEV.
Facts about the game
Anniversary: Marko Friedrich will play his 400th DEL game tomorrow. So far he has 135 points (57 goals, 78 assists). The 31-year-old played 49 games for the Panthers and contributed 16 points (eight goals, eight assists). This is already his second best season in terms of points in the German elite league.
Neun, eleven, one: Nine points with 11:1 goals. The record of the blue and whites against Augsburg this season is impeccable. At home, Upper Bavaria won 1-0 and 5-1. A 5-0 win away three weeks ago.
Platz 75: Augsburg’s storm weakness is also made clear when you look at the DEL top scorer list. The AEV top scorer Drew LeBlanc is only in 75th place with 26 points.
Home match double pack
The Panthers celebrated two home wins this week and there are also two games on the program in the SATURN Arena next week. The next top game against leaders Red Bull Munich (7:30 p.m.) is on Tuesday and Fischtown Pinguins Bremerhaven (7:30 p.m.) are guests on Friday. Tickets for both games are always available Online-Ticketshop or in the Fairplay Hockey Shop (Tues-Fri: 2-6 p.m.; Sat: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.).
Return
You might also be interested in this
Fri, 17/02/2023 // ERCI – YOU 3:1
Victory in the style of a top team
The Panthers don’t let themselves be stopped by a strong Düsseldorf EG and win 3-1 at home…
Fri, February 17, 2023 // professionals, tickets, fans
Secure a season ticket for the 2023/24 season
The season ticket for the coming season can now be booked. There is also a booking option for this year’s playoffs…
Fri, February 17, 2023 // professionals, tickets, fans
Today at the stadium
Everything you need to know about today’s home game against the traditional Düsseldorfer EG…
Do, 16.02.2023 // Profis
Home game against team of the hour
The Panthers meet Düsseldorfer EG in the SATURN Arena on Friday. One of their closest pursuers in the DEL table…
