Dramatic home defeat: Devils Ulm lose against Landsberg 3:4!

Dramatic home defeat: Devils Ulm lose against Landsberg 3:4!

The ice hockey season presents us with exciting games and exciting rivalries, but in the last home game of the preliminary round, VfE Ulm/Neu-Ulm suffered a bitter defeat against HC Landsberg. The game ended 3-4 and was a bitter setback after an impressive six-game winning streak that the team had built up over the past few weeks. As the Augsburger Allgemeine reported, the disappointment among players and coaches was noticeable.

Ulm started hopefully in the first third. Valentin Dér had two top-class chances in the first minute, but they went unused. In the 12th minute, Martin Podesva gave the home team the lead, assisted by Dominik Synek, who also scored a goal a short time later. But Landsberg didn't let up and was able to equalize just 54 seconds later with a deflected slap shot.

Defensive problems and unfortunate turns

As the game progressed, Ulm revealed some defensive weaknesses despite their offensive efforts. Goalkeeper David Heckenberger held strong several times, but an own goal shortly before the end of the first third gave HC Landsberg the equalizer at 2-2. In the second third, Landsberg took the lead, again through a deflected shot, which put the Ulm defense under pressure.

The Devils struggled in the final third, while Landsberg increased the lead to 4-2 in the 52nd minute. Ulm fought until the end and was able to reduce the deficit again 47 seconds before the end thanks to Bohumil Slavicek. But the wall of Landsberg's defense and the missing bit of luck prevented another goal. Coach Michael Bielefeld did not blame his team for their effort and performance until the final whistle.

A look at the Bayernliga

This defeat also has an impact on the overall ranking of the Bavarian Ice Hockey League. This league is considered the highest amateur league in Bavaria, where 16 teams are currently fighting for the Bavarian championship title. The Bayernliga, which was introduced in the 1975/76 season, is the fourth highest ice hockey league in Germany. The best eight teams and the four worst teams in the Oberliga Süd qualify for the interlocking round, which is played in best-of-five mode Ice hockey statistics represents.

Last year, EHC Waldkraiburg won the championship and leads the all-time list with a total of four titles. This competition shows only too clearly that every game can be decisive for teams when it comes to securing a place in the play-offs.

All that remains for VfE Ulm/Neu-Ulm is the hope of learning from this defeat and making the next games more successful. Given the exciting 2023/2024 season, more can certainly be expected from the teams.