Löwen coach Kevin Gaudet once again demands maximum performance from his Tölzer Löwen against Bietigheim.
Bad Tölz - With the exception of Kassel, the Tölzer Löwen have already defeated every opponent in the DEL 2 this season.
Also the Bietigheim Steelers, with 5: 2 at home in early February.
"We can probably beat anyone - with a top performance," says Tölzer coach Kevin Gaudet.
The lions need them on Sunday if they want to win in Bietigheim (5 p.m.).
Gaudet: "We have to play the best game of the year."
Best game of the year required
The team from Baden-Württemberg has become even stronger since the last comparison, the Löwen coach points out: With the former Tölzer Jimmy Hertel, goalkeeper Cody Brenner gets a strong backup, attacker Robin Just returned from Ravensburg four weeks ago Steelers are back, and Bietigheim recently filled the fourth contingent position with Canadian striker Evan Jasper.
And there are plenty of other strong figures in the team, some of which Gaudet even knows from his time with the Baden-Württemberg team: “Bietigheim has 13 ex-champion players, the Steelers are the strongest team and championship favorites with Kassel and Frankfurt . “Bietigheim is just as constant as Kassel, was their closest pursuer with one or two slacks, is currently the most effective team in the league: After an average of 8.1 shots on goal, the target lands in the net (Tölzer Löwen: 8.4 ).
Gaudet once again sees the key to victory in a faultless defense and an unoccupied penalty box.
The Tölzer coach even somehow elevates the two penalty minutes in the game against Frankfurt to the standard.
These are less than average.
"But especially with a squad as small as ours, it is important not to waste any additional strength by playing outnumbered," says Gaudet.
“Especially not against the best power play in the league.” According to statistics, this is what the Bietigheim Steelers show.
Two strong goalkeepers face each other
And the Tölz squad remains as small as usual.
The lions run up with eight forwards and five defenders.
Manuel Edfelder is back after his groin problems, but takes the position of Lubor Dibelka in the second row, who also has to pass with groin problems.
The remaining strikers have to manage to keep the BIetigheim keeper busy.
Cody Brenner has a similarly strong catch rate as the Tölzer goalkeeper Maximilian Franzreb.
The season is gradually entering the decisive phase.
“It's about a lot,” says Gaudet.
Neither team will take the highest risk.
That's why there won't be as many goals this time as in the previous comparisons, suspects Gaudet.
"It will be a close game," he is sure.
And only decide little things.
"We have to try to take advantage of their mistakes."
