Ravensburg turns the game against Landshut late, Dresden continues the winning streak in Kaufbeuren, Regensburg secures an important three points

There was a lot to celebrate for EC Bad Nauheim on Friday evening in the 9-2 win over Freiburg.
Photo: Andreas Chuc

On the penultimate weekend in the DEL2 main round, the tension increases in the fight for places behind the leader of the table, Kassel. While the leader continued his winning streak with a 5:2 win over Crimmitschau, Kaufbeuren lost 3:4 at home to Dresden in the chasing duel. In the final minutes, the Ravensburg Towerstars turned a 0:2 deficit into a 3:2 home win against Landshut. The Krefeld penguins had trouble beating Bayreuth 5:4. On the other hand, Bad Nauheim celebrated a 9-2 shoot-out against Freiburg. In the fight for the pre-playoff places, Regensburg managed an important threesome against Weißwasser. The duel between Heilbronn and Selb was won by the wolves in overtime.

The Kassel Huskies lived up to their role as favorites for a long time against the ice pirates Crimmitschau, who were successful twice in a row after the change of coach. The North Hessians started at high speed and scored two goals. Numerous chances were missed before Lois Spitzner (42nd) increased. But the West Saxons were able to reply again. Scott Feser (48′) and Jasper Lindsten (53′) shortened the lead with two power play hits and ensured an exciting final phase until Tomas Sykora’s empty net hit. Jake Weidner (60th) finally scored to make it 5-2.

Things were less exciting in Bad Nauheim. In the first third, the Kurstadt team pulled away from Freiburg with four goals. The second third was balanced, with both teams netting once each. The last twenty minutes were again richer in goals, which went to the home side with 4:1 goals.

There was more in the race for a direct playoff placement for EV Landshut. In the 19th minute, the hosts Ravensburg Towerstars used a double advantage to make it 1-0, which Tyson McLellan scored. Jakob Mayenschein increased in the 29th minute. In the final phase of the intense game, the Upper Swabians hit back mercilessly. Nickolas Latta equalized with a double strike (54th/56th), Louis Latta put the puck in the net to make it 3-2 20 seconds before the end.

The Krefeld Penguins got away with a black eye against Bayreuth at the bottom. In the end it was a narrow 5:4 win, but the team struggled against the Wagnerstadters for a long time. The 0:1 deficit from the 8th minute could be turned to 2:1 by the first break, but the guests played cheerfully and even took the lead again by the 42nd minute with 4:2. Two goals in the majority then brought the balance. Odeen Peter Tufto (55th) finally scored the winning goal.

The Selber wolves were allowed to cheer at their feared opponent Heilbronn. However, they had to concede the first goal in the second minute, which Simon Thiel scored for the Falcons. However, Mark McNeill (5th) and Lukas Vantuch (18th) ensured the lead for Upper Franconia until the first break. In a hard-fought game, the people from Porzellanstadt missed out on making more. Gradually, Heilbronn came back into play more dangerously and fought to equalize in the 46th minute. The game was decided in overtime by Nick Miglio.

The guests got off to a good start in the duel between second-placed Kaufbeuren and fourth-placed Dresdner Eislöwen. Adam Kiedewicz scored for his colors after 86 seconds. In a thrilling game, John Lammers (33’/36′) made it 2-1 – defender Fabian Koziol was able to score a point in his first game of the season after a long injury break. The 2:2 by Niklas Postel (51st) was followed only a minute later by the renewed Kaufbeuren lead, scored by Johannes Krauss. The Saxons equalized again in the 58th minute through Tomas Andres. With 0.7 seconds remaining, it was Jordan Knackstedt who scored Dresden’s winning goal.

In front of almost 4,000 spectators, the Eisbären Regensburg took a big step towards staying up in the league. The Upper Palatinate acted snappy from the start and earned the 1-0 through Korbinian Schütz in the 12th minute. The narrow result also lasted for a long time. Although the Lausitzer Fuchse tried to get close, keeper Devin Williams could not be overcome. But the polar bears also struggled with their options. Nine seconds before the end, Lars Schiller scored the winning goal into the opponent’s orphaned goal.

Michael Sporer