Ice hockey Oberliga: austerity instead of promotion plans at the Saale Bulls from Halle

Halle (Saale) –

Once this season Daniel Mischner had to be really upset. This 0: 4 in the derby against the Icefighters Leipzig in mid-November, “a matter of attitude”, was difficult for the President of the Saale Bulls to accept.

Otherwise, however, the 43-year-old club boss is satisfied with the performance of the ice hockey league club from Halle so far. Before the duel at the bottom of the table Krefeld on Friday evening (7.30 p.m.), the Bulls are in seventh place with three wins and four defeats. Midfield.

Corona pandemic forces Saale Bulls to cut costs

A balance sheet that at first glance doesn’t really fit with Mischner’s happy mood. After all, the ice hockey makers in Halle have big plans and want to be promoted to the DEL2. Last season, for example, the Bulls with the most expensive squad in club history aimed at at least the playoff semifinals.

The attack on the DEL2 has now been postponed, “This season we only see ourselves in the midfield,” explains Mischner. The cautious goal is the result of the corona pandemic and the resulting financial burdens.

The Bulls save to get out of the season economically stable. The easiest way to do this is with player salaries. “Our squad is much cheaper than last season,” explains Mischner.

Saale Bulls save money with Finnish contingent players

However, 14 player contracts were signed in February, before the pandemic. Therefore, savings were made with the contingent players. The Finns Tatu Vihavainen and Valtteri Hotakainen are less expensive than the US star strikers Nick Miglio and Chris Francis from last season. Also, the positions of Johannes husband and Steven Bär, both ended their careers, have not yet been filled.

“There are some teams, such as Herne or the Hannover Scorpions, that are facing us this season,” explains Mischner. “I see us at eye level with Erfurt and Rostock. They have increased, we have reduced. “

In December, however, the Bulls have to add personnel. Main reason: The Finn Vihavainen played with pain in his ankle since the beginning of the season. Now only an operation helped. The import player is down for several weeks. “We have to react to that,” says Mischner. (mz)

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