Only a short guest appearance in Peiting: Prominent newcomer has to go

Created: 01/17/2022, 7:00 p.m

By: Roland Halmel

Short guest appearance: After only 24 games for the Peitingen team, in which he only scored seven goals, Eetu-Ville Arkiomaa (second from left) has to pack his bags.

© Roland Halmel

The bottom line was that it was just a big misunderstanding: Because the claim and reality did not match, Peiting's contingent player has to go now.

Peiting

– Peiting's coach Anton Saal raved about a "grenade on the ice" when the Oberliga club announced the signing of Eetu-Ville Arkiomaa last spring.

The 28-year-old striker from Finland came to Peitnach with great advance praise.

After all, Arkiomaa had been one of the top scorers in the Werdenfelser team at SC Riessersee.

In his two seasons in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, he produced outstanding numbers in 81 games (48 goals, 81 assists).

At EC Peiting, however, the Finnish grenade didn't really ignite.

Already after the preparation and the first league games, a certain skepticism spread among the fans as far as the qualities of Arkiomaa were concerned.

Ice Hockey: In his 24 games, Eetu-Ville Arkiomaa rarely featured

However, those responsible at the ECP repeatedly emphasized that they would give the newcomer enough time to settle in.

However, after 24 games in which the Finn rarely stood out and in which he only scored seven goals, that patience was wearing thin.

On Sunday, the Oberliga announced the separation.

"We decided to take the step because Arki unfortunately didn't live up to the expectations placed in him," explained Saal, for whom the decision he made together with team manager Gordon Borberg was not easy.

"Because it was a very good human fit," says Saal.

Ice hockey: Peiting has obviously already found a replacement for Arkiomaa

However, the ECP cannot yet present a successor for the Finnish striker. "But we are in good talks," reports Saal. The coach expects the completion report this week. At the same time, he made it clear that the people from Peiting wanted to complete the separation in good time before the transfer deadline on January 31, although there was still no replacement. This should give Arkiomaa the chance to find a new club. "Otherwise it wouldn't have been fair," said Saal, who, due to the developments of the past few weeks - Dominic Krabbat was a striker, while Manuel Bartsch was a defensive player - considered whether it wouldn't make more sense to use the second foreigner position to occupy a defender. "We gave it some thought during the break," reports Saal.However, he will not be more specific.

Ice hockey: Peiting will probably have to take a break next weekend as well

As is well known, the people of Peiting have been on the Corona break since January 6th, one day after the Rosenheim game. There was no training at all last week. It should start again tomorrow, Wednesday, after the first of the eight players affected by Corona have tested themselves. "But we strictly adhere to the DEB protocol 'Return to play', which requires an examination by a cardiologist," says Saal. The association does not take any risks in this matter. "Only when those affected get the green light from the doctor do they return to the ice," Saal wants to rule out the risk of heart muscle inflammation - see FC Bayern professional Alphonso Davies. If there are no medical objections, he hopes to be able to train with a full squad again by the weekend.But that means that the game on Friday at SC Riessersee will be cancelled. The home game against Landsberg on Sunday is also on shaky ground. "But that all has to be discussed with the DEB," says Saal.

Ice hockey: Will the pre-play-offs in the Oberliga be canceled?

Should the two games fail, the ECP would then have to play six catch-up games.

"It could be tight," said Saal.

Only six weeks remain until the end of the preliminary round on March 6th.

The problems have not only the Peitinger, but also other teams.

That's why there are apparently considerations to cancel the pre-playoffs in order to have an additional weekend for catch-up games.

However, this still has to be discussed in the responsible committees with the clubs and then decided.