ESC wants to do its homework
Created: 12/30/2022, 2:05 p.m
By: Thomas Wenzel
The captain is back: Due to illness, Martin Köhler (Middle) had to take two breaks recently, against Pfaffenhofen he stormed again for the Geretsrieder River Rats.
© hans lippert
The Geretsrieder River Rats go into the home game against EC Pfaffenhofen as favorites on Friday.
But coach Hans Tauber jun.
warns of the Bayernliga bottom light.
Geretsried-Hans Tauber Jr.
did the math again.
A week ago, the coach of the Geretsrieder ice hockey team assumed that his club would qualify for the Bayernliga championship round with 40 points on the account.
"In the meantime, 43 points are probably needed to reach eighth place," says the 37-year-old.
This is due to the fact that not only the direct opponent ESC Kempten has a run, but the table neighbors all have catch-up games in front of their chests in which they can score.
According to Adam Riese, this means that the River Rats would have to win four of their remaining five games - an almost impossible task in view of strong opponents such as Königsbrunn, Schongau and Peißenberg.
"It's important now that we take it easy," emphasizes the coach and adds: "And,
This certainly includes a home win this Friday in the match against EC Pfaffenhofen (7:30 p.m.).
"Clear case, we are the favourites," said Tauber before the duel against the bottom of the table.
The Geretsrieders will probably not take a leisurely stroll: "I have very bad memories of the first leg," says the coach.
It was 3:4 after the second third – Tauber, who had been in office for just a week at the time, had to raise his voice in the dressing room for the first time.
The result was a difficult 7:5 victory for the ESC.
Pfaffenhofen meanwhile have their first win of the season (4:1 against Schweinfurt), but they also have six double-digit defeats under their belt.
"They are preparing for the relegation round," Tauber knows.
The Icehogs have a new trainer in Stefan Teufel, as well as two new contingent strikers in Slovakian David Hornak and Jan Tlacil from the Czech Republic.
"This is an unknown opponent for us again," warns the Geretsried coach.
Nevertheless, there is no way around victory: "We want to gain self-confidence - no matter where we go after the preliminary round."