River Rats: Change of coach makes the opponent dangerous
Created: 12/09/2022, 2:00 p.m
By: Thomas Wenzel
The River Rats around Josef Reiter (front) suffered a 3:5 defeat in the first leg against Kempten.
The second leg in the Allgäu is on the program for Friday.
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The Geretsrieder River Rats are guests this Friday at ESC Kempten, who has just separated from coach Brad Miller
Geretsried – December, says Hans Tauber Jr., is often the month of weird results in ice hockey.
“Some clubs are only just beginning to get back into shape at this point, while others are plagued by injuries,” says the ESC Geretsried coach.
There are also decisions that are difficult to understand in this phase of the season.
For example, the dismissal of coach Rainer Höfler at table sixth EA Schongau.
Or that ESC Kempten, where the River Rats are guests this Friday at 7.30 p.m., has parted ways with their coach Brad Miller and signed Harald Waibel as his successor.
"It's dangerous for us, because such a change of coach can inspire a team tremendously," warns Tauber.
The latest results of his protégés were not particularly funny, but a little surprising.
The 4:3 nV home win against Ulm only came about after a deficit of 0:3.
"The goals conceded were unfortunate, but the team showed a strong comeback," says the coach.
He was also satisfied with the performance at 3:2 in Buchloe.
After all, the hosts "came out of the dressing room with ten more horsepower" after the injury-related failure of their top scorer Michal Petrak.
Kempten, who only lost 4:5 aet in Miesbach, was less consistent recently, but lost 6:1 at home against Erding.
The Allgäu team is bursting with routine, with four top performers in Eric Nadeau, Alexander von Sigriz, Daniel Rau and top scorer Rostislav Martynek being 40 years or older.
"It is important that we are compact at the back and do all their tasks," emphasizes Tauber.
Due to illness, Bernhard Jorde, Hans Gerg and Luis Huber from the River Rats will not be able to make the trip to the Allgäu.
Jakob Heigl is still injured, Michael Harrer's use is questionable.
Ondrej Horvath and Jakup Rezac are back in action.