The Geretsrieder River Rats are expecting the Tölzer Löwen for a preparatory game on Sunday at 5:30 p.m.
Geretsried/Bad Tölz - Since the glorious years in the attractive Hacker-Pschorr-League in the mid-1990s, there have been no more official matches between the ice hockey teams from Geretsried and Bad Tölz.
From the recent past, two state league duels between the River Rats and the 1b team of the ECT are noted (season 2014/15).
In addition, the lions competed in the farewell game of ESC veteran Andreas Dornbach in 2017 in the Heinz-Schneider-Eisstadion.
Peter Holdschik is therefore all the more pleased when an appointment with the traditional club from the southern district resulted in the compilation of the current preparation program.
"Actually, we would have played against another club, but they understood that we changed our plans," says the ESC Vice President.
ESC newcomer Rezac makes a strong impression
After the match on Friday against Schongau (see report on page 31), it is the second preparatory game for the hosts.
"Participation in training is great," said new coach Stefan Roth after the first three weeks on the ice.
In the final session on Thursday alone, he had four blocks and three guest players available.
The 42-year-old is also impressed by the Czech new signing Jakub Rezac, who occupies the second contingent position alongside his compatriot Marek Haloda.
"He's in great shape and strong in a duel," reports Roth.
The 28-year-old defender is stable at the back and is always able to play a good first pass.
The coach is looking forward to the duel against Bad Tölz: "It's great that we can play against a higher-class opponent in preparation.
Lions have had a tough week of training
That's how Ryan Foster sees it.
"We have to show a good reaction," the new Tölz coach demands of his protégés for the derby.
The 47-year-old Austro-Canadian trained hard this week, but the recent 7-2 defeat at Geretsrieder Bayernliga competitor TEV Miesbach was also on the agenda.
"We were too arrogant and didn't take our opponent seriously," criticizes Foster.
The slip must be a lesson for the team: "We will only be successful this season if we always put our heart and soul into it 100 percent." At the moment, his newly assembled team is still lacking consistency: "In some games like the For example, we played very well against Deggendorf, but then there were slacks again.”
What is currently making it difficult for him to work are injury-related absences.
Oliver Ott, Johannes Sedlmayr and Ludwig Nirschl will be absent against the River Rats;
possibly also Max Brandl.
"Only nine men will probably be there in the final training session on Saturday," regrets Foster, but adds: "But in Geretsried we will definitely have a powerful team."