It's the most important year for Löwen coach Kevin Gaudet: this Friday, the Tölzer Löwen are fighting for direct qualification for the play-offs. You can follow the game from 7:15 p.m. in the Tölzer Kurier's live ticker.
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Anyone who follows the Tölzer Löwen social media channels knows what is going on. The Isarwinklers want a full house for the final home game against the EC Bad Nauheim. 4000 spectators, gladly also a few more. A smooth victory would finally make it into the play-off round. "To finish in the top six would be the greatest success of this club in the DEL 2," says coach Kevin Gaudet. Christian Donbeck adds that all participants deserve the "highest respect" to be in such a promising position after 50 games have been completed. The managing director comments on the audience question in his typical mischievous manner. "I actually wish for a full stadium every week." But what is currently happening in Tölz could be seen in terms of the population of the district.
The signs are inevitably on euphoria if it weren't for the personal bloodletting. The number of defenders capable of playing shrank again last weekend. After Sasa Martinovic, Niki Heinzinger now threatens to end the season prematurely. The 20-year-old had to pass after a body check in Kassel. The diagnosis says nothing good. "Four to six weeks off," confirms Gaudet. But that's not all. On Wednesday, Manuel Edfelder was suddenly registered for the MRI as a result of a lower body injury. "Not so bad," Gaudet gives the all-clear. But Edfelder could not train, and whether it is enough for Friday is still in the stars. "We really have all the bad luck in the world," says Gaudet. "But hope dies last." In an emergency, Captain Schlager is the fourth or fifth defender. An inquiry to cooperation partner Straubing Tigers was denied. "You can't let Maxi Gläßl go"; the lion coach regrets. As a result, Jungspund Maxi Leitner becomes a full and permanent member of the Tölz defensive. "You can't play a whole game with four defenders," explains the coach. Leitner will play almost every scheduled change. Not a matter of course: "He is excited," says Gaudet.
Bad Nauheim as a competitor for the direct playoff qualification has achieved by far the fewest hits of all second division teams. Therefore, his team should under no circumstances allow countermeasures of any kind. "Everything has to be done defensively and safely," clarifies Gaudet. "It's the biggest game of the season for us."
