The Tölzer Löwen have to end the season prematurely without play-offs. Because of the corona virus, the DEL 2 clubs have decided to take this precaution.
Bad Tölz - This is bitter: Never before have the Tölz lions reached the play-offs in DEL 2. As fifth of the preliminary round, they made it this year if they had started the quarterfinals against the Heilbronn Falcons on Friday. But now the corona virus is putting a spanner in the works: the league unanimously decided yesterday afternoon to end the season prematurely - without the decisions in the play-offs. “It hurts the athlete's heart,” says ECT chairman Hubert Hörmann. "But it's the only viable decision."
The early end is like a medal without value for the lions, says TEG managing director Christian Donbeck. “It is very disappointing that we have to end this exciting successful season without the icing on the cake. I'm incredibly sorry for the players, the fans, the whole environment. ”But anything else would have led to a huge minus for the clubs involved. That is why the Tölzer also voted as shareholders for the decision.
"There were only two options," says Hörmann. "Either end the play-offs without restrictions or stop playing." The first variant is not possible, at least in Bavaria. The Free State has banned events with more than 1000 people. "But that would be a disaster for the clubs," says Donbeck. Nobody wants to play in front of half or completely empty ranks.
Play-offs in front of fewer than 1,000 spectators or even ghost games without an audience would be anything but cost-covering for the Tölzer Löwen. "Total madness," says Hörmann. The issue of tickets would also be a problem. "We have 2000 season tickets alone," Hörmann points out. "Who should go into the stadium there, who would have to stay outside?" Says the ECT President. “In extreme cases, this would lead to rioting in front of the stadium.
The situation would be exacerbated if there were corona cases within the DEL 2 teams. For example, there are currently rumors of a positive test by a board member of the Lausitzer Füchse. "Then you would have to take the team out of the game and replace them if necessary," says Hörmann. "Absurd." He would have loved to let the play-offs run without audience limits. "I don't see why 3000 viewers are worse than 1000."
But things turned out differently. Now the ice hockey clubs and fans have to live with the decision and come to terms with it. Or maybe not. Hörmann cannot rule out claims for damages that could result in the decision. Season ticket holders who see themselves deprived of the play-offs they have paid for. Or sponsors who think they have paid too much for an incomplete season. "As an association, we are left in the rain for a while," says Hörmann, who misses a nationwide standard for corona.
The lions must now finish the season earlier than planned. Wages and salaries for the players do not bring the lions further into financial difficulties. In most cases, they are paid until the end of the season. Nevertheless, there remains a certain feeling of imperfection. Donbeck: "It is a shock for everyone involved."