The new restrictions hit the Bavarian Ice Hockey League with full force.
For the EA Schongau and the TSV Peißenberg the next compulsory break is pending.
Peißenberg / Schongau -
The two ice hockey Bayern league clubs in the district had expected far-reaching decisions from Berlin.
The clarity of stopping all amateur sport in all age groups for four weeks caused astonishment among the "ice hackers" (TSV Peißenberg) as well as the "mammoths" (EA Schongau).
"I would have hoped that we would be able to continue playing, but without a spectator," explains "Ice Chipper" coach Randy Neal.
EAS team manager Martin Resch says: “It is safe to argue about the usefulness of all measures.
We take it that way, although we had the hope that at least the training operations for the youngsters would continue. "
The “hygiene concept worked.
In the eight weeks since we've had ice cream, we haven't had a single case, ”reports Resch.
In contrast, there were corona cases among the Peißenbergers.
“They all got infected in the private sector.
There was nothing in sport, ”says Neal, who expects his players to keep fit during the four-week break.
The people of Schongau also made the same requirement for their team.
Doubts how the season should continue
Financially, the lockdown is not an additional burden, at least for the first set of “mammoths”.
“We don't have any paid players.
Everyone goes about their work normally, ”says Resch.
He sees the two games this weekend as more problematic, with only costs incurred, but due to the lack of audience income - only 50 fans are allowed - hardly anything comes into the box office.
“The bottom line is that the weekend will probably cost us around 1500 euros.” Resch would not mind if the association had to cancel both match days.
“We're ready to play,” he clarifies.
Both clubs direct criticism in the direction of the Bavarian Ice Sports Association.
"I expect the association to get in touch and say what happens next," demands Resch.
“There is not enough,” complains Neal.
The clubs are also keen to find out as soon as possible how things will go after the end of the lockdown (whenever that is).
“It doesn't work with the planned mode,” says Resch, although Neal agrees: “Maybe we have to split the league, because how are we supposed to get the 20 remaining games in?” The question is how things will be in Schongau the ice rink is running.
“We're trying to hold the ice,” says Resch, although the decision as to whether the ice machine should be switched off has not yet been made.
Clarity, however, in Peißenberg: "We switch off on Sunday, and if there is any relaxation, we will restart it," said TSV President Stefan Rießenberger.
The league should start
It has been clear since Wednesday: The ice hockey league is classified as a professional league and should take place - at least in November but without spectators.
The preparation of the top division was mixed.
Again and again, individual players or even entire teams had to go into quarantine.
If a team cannot compete during the season for this reason, the pairings should be made up as soon as possible.
“We have only blocked three or four Tuesdays with games so far, so you can normally play.
So also on January 6th, ”said Markus Schubert, Leader of the German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB), explaining the plans of the officials.
For Schubert: "If the local authorities don't forbid it, you can play."
In order to survive financially even without the audience income, the clubs receive 80 percent of the ticket revenue from the government's 2.5 million euro pot.
In addition, the contract with the online platform “SpradeTV” washes money into the coffers.
Those in charge of the EC Peiting also hope that the fans will use the streaming service in the near future.
"We are now fighting - like all sport - for bare survival", the second chairman Stefan Stets is quoted in a club announcement.
"Perhaps now is the time for a special kind of solidarity."
