Black Bears Freising: Two tough chunks at the end of the preliminary round

Created: 01/20/2022, 16:00

Anton Münzhuber (front) and his fellow SEF defenders face a three-time German champion on Friday in Waldkirchen.

© Lehmann

The Black Bears Freising are warming up for the relegation round this weekend.

The SEF ice choppers have to work on some construction sites.

Freising

– The Black Bears Freising can play twice more against the top teams in the league at the weekend before they go into the relegation round next week.

The guest appearance at ESV Waldkirchen on Friday and the duel with ESC Haßfurt on Sunday at 6 p.m. in the Weihenstephan Arena are the last two SEF games in the regional league preliminary round.

Both games had been postponed because of Corona and only have statistical value for the Freisinger Eishackler as far as the table position is concerned.

Nevertheless, coach Nils Hanfstingl expects a lot from his team.

Because now the basis for the relegation round will be laid.

"It doesn't matter whether we get three points against Waldkirchen or Haßfurt or not: For me it's about how we present ourselves," emphasizes the 33-year-old trainer.

"It's very important to me in the two games that we have a certain basic structure defensively.

If we manage to only allow a few chances against these top teams, we are well prepared for the relegation round.

Freisinger problems in the majority game

A week ago, in the Black Bears' 4-2 win against EHC Bayreuth, Hanfstingl complained that his team had allowed too many goals. The result in Freising's majority game against the Tigers was also absolutely abysmal: In the final third, the SEF cracks had four opportunities to extend their lead with at least one man more on the ice. At the end of the day, Bayreuth even conceded a shorthanded goal.

The people of Domstadt can also work on this construction site at the weekend – even if it is likely to be more difficult to score.

Above all, Friday opponents Waldkirchen prominently strengthened at the beginning of the year in order to make the entry into the promotion round perfect.

With 40-year-old Nathan Robinson, the Crocodiles have a three-time German champion in their ranks.

The former DEL professional shone in the 9-2 win over Trostberg last week as a five-time assist and scored one goal himself.

Black Bears want to repair 1:15 nicks

At Waldkirchen, the Black Bears still have unpleasant memories of Robinson's Canadian compatriot Thomas Vezina: The 21-year-old striker scored four goals in the Crocodiles' clear 5-1 first-leg win.

On Sunday from 6 p.m. against ESC Haßfurt "we still have something to make up for," emphasizes Coach Hanfstingl, looking at the 1:15 swatter in the first leg.

"For me personally, it's a matter of pride that we show that we don't let ourselves be treated like that."

Joseph Fuchs