The EC Peiting was hit with eleven corona cases in the team.
This also means that the team will now go into the pre-play-off games without a “dress rehearsal”.
Peiting - If the first two compulsory breaks, when only a few players were infected with the corona virus, were relatively light for the EC Peiting, the league team got a full broadside in its third pandemic break.
“The fact is that we have eleven players who tested positive,” reported ECP team manager Gordon Borberg after completing all tests last week.
"This presents us with major challenges, especially in view of the countdown, which is already starting to tick towards the pre-play-offs," added Peiting's spokesman, Simon Fritzenschaft.
One of these challenges that must now be mastered is the lack of match practice.
The last games of the main round on Friday in Passau and on Sunday in Weiden were canceled.
This will not change anything about the placement of the Peitinger - seventh place.
ECP coach Sebastian Buchwieser takes this fact relatively calmly.
He has another problem: his team has to go into the two pre-play-off games practically from a standing start after a three-week break without match practice.
"That will be anything but easy and is certainly also a competitive disadvantage," admits Buchwieser.
Opponents of the EC Peiting are probably the Blue Devils Weiden
Opponents in the two games on March 19 and 21 will most likely be the Blue Devils Weiden.
Only if the Upper Palatinate win their last game against Rosenheim and at the same time lose Memmingen at home to Lindau, the Blue Devils would overtake Memmingen.
This would mean that the team from the Allgäu would then be the Peitinger opponent.
"We will prepare intensively for our opponents in the last three training units before the pre-play-offs," promises coach Sebastian Buchwieser.
He's hoping that he'll be able to compete with a fairly complete squad.
Some of the most recently injured or ailing players such as Lukas Gohlke, Andreas Feuerecker, Markus Czogallik, Alex Winkler and Martin Hlozek are currently in training.
"With them I am confident that they will get fit in time," Buchwieser said.
He can at least train in small groups with the actors not affected by the quarantine.
The situation is more complicated with the eleven players who are currently on pause due to Corona.
"Together with our medical department, we are currently working on ensuring that the boys are given the best possible check-up when the symptoms have subsided," reports team manager Borberg.
The program then includes EKG, ultrasound and other stress tests.
Only when the medical department gives the green light after these health checks can the players fully re-enter the competition.
"It could be tight, but health is clear," emphasizes Buchwieser.
Peiting's coach admits that the time factor could possibly speak against his team.
The medical side, however, has received a lot of praise.
"Many thanks at this point to our doctors Kusche, Mohr and for the support from Dr.
Fleckenstein, who is at our side in cardiological terms, ”says ECP spokesman Fritzenschaft.
