The Geretsrieder River Rats were the first ice hockey team in the district to play a preparation game - without a spectator.
In Buchloe the ESC celebrated a 6-2 success
Youngster Paul Gania scores two goals
Good grades for newcomer Marek Haloda
Top scorer Ondrej Horvath is celebrating a comeback after his knee operation
Buchloe / Geretsried
- This is how it can go on: In its first preparation game on Sunday at ESV Buchloe, the Geretsried ice hockey team gave its new coach Rudi Sternkopf a 6: 2 (2: 1, 2: 1, 2: 0) victory.
"That was of course a great start in the test series, but we shouldn't overestimate this success," said ESC Vice Peter Holdschik, who was one of the few eyewitnesses - spectators were not allowed - to watch the game in Ostallgäu.
The River Rats took the lead after nine minutes with a goal from Paul Gania.
Shortly afterwards, Christian Wittmann managed to equalize 1-1 for the Bayern League successor.
Again it was youngster Gania who scored the 2: 1 for Geretsried (12th).
In the second section, Martin Köhler and Benedikt May increased the result to 4: 1, before Matthias Imhof made it 2: 4 for Buchloe.
In the final third, the River Rats added two more goals from Bernhard Jorde and Ondrej Horvath and thus secured the 6-2 victory.
"Our young players in particular did their job well," praised Holdschik, who was also pleased that goalkeepers Martin Morczinietz and David Albanese offered their usual secure support and that coach Sternkopf played with four blocks throughout.
But it was obvious, according to the 2nd chairman, “that both teams were not yet in good shape”.
Marek Haloda also earned good grades on his debut.
"It brings stability to our defense," said the ESC vice-president of the 28-year-old newcomer from the Czech Republic.
Surprisingly, Ondrej Horvath also showed up, who is still in training after his knee operation.
With a goal and an assist, he showed that the Geretsrieder top scorer has not forgotten anything.
Holdschik: “Ondrej is ambitious, but he should take it slowly while preparing.
It is important that he is fit for the start of the Bayernliga on October 2nd. "
The River Rats will play their next test match on Sunday, September 20, at 5.30 p.m. at league competitor TSV Peißenberg.
Also read: The first of five friendlies for the River Rats
ESV Buchloe - ESV Geretsried 2: 6 (1: 2, 1: 2, 0: 2)
Goals: 0: 1 (8:25) Gania (Koehler), 1: 1 (9:50) Wittmann (5-4), 1: 2 (11:41) Gania (May 5-4), 1: 3 ( 26:54) Koehler (Horvath 5-4), 1: 4 (30:39) May (Koehler), 2: 4 (31:06) Imhof (Wittmann), 2: 5 (48:34) Jorde, 2: 6 (58:53) Horvath (fox).
- Penalty minutes: ESV 4, ESC 10.