The Tölzer Löwen need that "little extra" to survive against front runners Kassel - Martinovic injured
Bad Tölz - After 60 percent of the main round, the Kassel Huskies are undisputed leaders in the DEL2, the measure of all things.
In the sum of all factors, the Tölzer Löwen can keep up with the top to win the game on Tuesday.
But once again they have to play the trump card of their excellent cohesion.
That stubbornness with which they forced the North Hessians into the extension just three weeks ago in the same place despite a clear backlog.
Performances with which the Tölzer have been able to surprise many times in this round.
Face the huskies with pride
But the longer the pucks are chased without any real rest periods, the more critical it is with the new edition.
Kevin Gaudet calls it the "little extra" that would make his men possible as winners.
But the team cannot always surpass itself: “Actually, everyone has to give a little more.
But that's difficult when you play every other day. "
The 57-year-old does not contest Kassel's exceptional position: “You have a goal and you are in another world.” A world that Gaudet was able to enjoy for a long time even in Bietigheim or Vienna.
A wonderland with no financial limits.
If a player is injured for a long time, a replacement will be available a little later.
In the case of the Huskies, ex-DEL man Vincent Saponari was the reaction to Nathan Burnes' failure.
Money seems secondary in a year that will be remembered as the epitome of constraints.
It is always legitimate, and Kassel does not hide its DEL ambitions either.
It is different in the Tölz camp.
No further professional will be signed up for the current season.
Not even now, when Sasa Martinovic was promoted to the hospital as a result of a check.
The "lower body injury" will be diagnosed more specifically on Tuesday using an MRI.
Of necessity, Gaudet has to put Markus Eberhardt on the defensive.
For Martinovic, the forced break is doubly bitter.
Since the preseason, the veteran has been viewed critically for various penalties and mistakes.
In the end, however, the Defender stayed away from the penalty box and made impeccable changes.
“He's feeling better now,” says Gaudet.
What will happen to Mario Lamoureux?
When Martinovic can get back on the ice is just as unclear as the future of Mario Lamoureux.
Some fans have already sounded out a crowdfunding scheme in order to bind the strong American to Tölz until the end of the season.
In the spirit of the coach, who also liked the 32-year-old's performances (“Of course I want Mario to stay”).
But it is currently not as easy with the people involved at TEG as it is with Gaudet's marching route for Tuesday: "We mustn't play fearfully, we have to face the huskies with pride." OLIVER RABUSER