EC Bad Nauheim’s lead over the pursuers is melting. Coach Harry Lange has changed after four defeats in a row.
(min). EC Bad Nauheim suddenly feels the breath of the clubs in the pre-playoff places on their necks again. There are only four points left to EV Landshut, who play at the Colonel Knight Stadium on Sunday (6.30 p.m.), eight points to EHC Freiburg, where the Red Devils play on Friday (7.30 p.m.). In Breisgau, the Hessians’ series of four defeats should come to an end. It is the start of another English week in the German Ice Hockey League 2 with five games in ten days.
This is the status quo: In addition to striker Marc El-Sayed, defender Philipp Wachter will also not be available at the weekend. He’s suffering from a rib injury. Subsidy licensee Pascal Steck has returned to Wetterau from Cologne. Whether Robin van Calster will also join the squad will be decided at short notice. In this case, Tobias Wörle should probably move back into defense,
The regular training week was urgently needed, says Harry Lange, the trainer. “We exhausted everything that was possible and necessary, but without going too far.” Kevin Niedenz and Michael Bartuli, who had acted conspicuously recently, played in the top two blocks in the final training session on Thursday.
Operation: Marc El-Sayed had surgery on Monday. The captain broke his right arm in the closing stages of the game against Dresden on December 28. Meanwhile, El-Sayed is back home. “I hope the break doesn’t last too long. In any case, I’m cheering for the boys and I hope that many fans will come and support the team on Sunday,” El-Sayed is quoted as saying on the club’s social media.
Import player search in Freiburg: The EHC is looking for a contingent player. As has been the case for large phases of the season. Hardly complete, namely Martin Reway, who was dissatisfied with his playing times, said goodbye. With three home wins in a row (against Regensburg, Ravensburg and Krefeld), Freiburg sent a signal in the fight for tenth place. Most recently there was a sporting setback in Crimmitschau (0:3). In the Breisgau you are treading water. There are question marks behind the appearances of Marc Witfoth and Hagen Kaisler.
Landshut in shape: Three games, three wins – against Kaufbeuren (5:4), Dresden (2:1) and Krefeld (5:3). EV Landshut defeated three DEL2 heavyweights at the start of the year. Up to four points, the Jojo-Klub from Lower Bavaria (in the meantime passed as league leaders in tenth place) has now moved closer to the Red Devils. The team is more uncompromising at the back and more determined at the front than at Advent. The EVL is the second best underman team in the league. The scorer and goalscorer list is led by Marco Pfleger (18 goals, 20 assists). The signing of the American Jack Olin Doremus (eleven points in 16 games) reacted to the loss of number one center Andre Hult (now in training). With the commitment of goalkeeper Luka Gracnar, the EVL has already issued all six import licenses.
