Successful start makes polar bears “happy”

Steps five and six follow on Friday and Sunday in the second ice hockey league 24/25 for the defending champions from Regensburg.

That’s not much in a main round of 52 rounds, but after three wins from the four DEL 2 games, one can speak of a successful start for the Eisbären from Regensburg under their new coach Ville Hämäläinen – even if the Finn has only just arrived what it looks like when a duel has been completed against each of the 13 opponents.

This weekend there will be two new live experiences for Hämäläinen: EC Bad Nauheim, led by Julian Lautenschlager, who was born in Regensburg, will be playing in the Donau-Arena on Friday from 8 p.m., in which a 4000-meter crowd will once again be on the horizon. On Sunday (6:30 p.m.) the route leads to Ravensburg, which was the first playoff opponent to be eliminated in a super close quarter-final series in the spring. The Hessians collected four points fewer points than the Eisbären in a win, while the Upper Swabians collected the same number with seven points, including two wins.

Two report back

Finally, Ville Hämäläinen had to improvise a bit in order to be able to implement the four-row philosophy, which is so important to him for strength and team spirit. Because of the injured man, defender Sandro Mayr moved into the attack. That is obsolete. Richard Divis, who is not suffering from an old injury from the previous season but a new one, is still missing – “but it shouldn’t last too long,” says Hämäläinen – but Christoph Schmidt can return. “That’s important for us.” So we have four full rows.”

Eetu Laurikainen is also back, but at least on Friday the goal will once again be looked after by Jonas Neffin. Nevertheless, the offensive line-up, which has been reduced to 13 strikers, is certainly an issue. Niklas Zeilbeck stormed for the Oberliga team Passau for the first time last weekend. It stays that way for the time being. “This is not something that changes from week to week. “A young player needs ice time and match practice,” says Hämäläinen.

Also read: First DEL goal in the first DEL game: The next step for Fabian Herrmann from Regensburg

Is something happening in the squad again? “We talk about it all the time,” Hämäläinen explains evasively and yet meaningfully at the same time. Young players from our own U20 are also constantly in our sights. “You constantly train with us on Tuesdays and Wednesdays,” reports the Eisbären coach.

Ville Hämäläinen likes the picture his polar bears have given so far. Curiously, the Selb game was the one that, in principle, the one that should have been won the most of the four games was lost. “If you don’t score the goals in the first third, it will come back,” said center forward Marvin Schmid after the 3:4. “It just happens,” said Hämäläinen, “happy with what we’ve shown so far,” but also knowing “that two tough opponents are waiting again.”

He doesn’t see the constantly occurring deficiencies in the game structure as a problem. “That always happens when we are too far apart.” If we make it closer, then there won’t be one chance to build up, but two or three.”

Marvin Schmid also sees it that way. “If one person makes a mistake, the other one will come right back.” If you have the trust, you’ll try something. We will then iron out the mistakes we make.” The 25-year-old, who has been on the steep path to the top in the last three seasons with promotion, relegation and the championship, sees the interim results as follows: “We can be satisfied.” It went well.” Little has changed for him in terms of system and role. “This is minimal. Everyone has their freedom like Max (former coach Kaltenhauser, editor). In the defensive zone we have our system, do whatever we want going forward. So to speak,” he explains and is happy to “play outnumbered and get so much ice time.”

Projected 39 goals this season

Only one thing has changed significantly: Schmid scored three times in four games and six times in 62 games last season. “Now it fell in, last year I could do what I wanted and they didn’t do it,” is the simple explanation from Schmid, who was also allowed to wear the gold helmet of the best Eisbären scorer. Projected over the season, Schmid would of course have an unrealistic 39 goals this season if things continued like this – but he certainly wouldn’t have anything against it.