The Dresden Eislöwen and the Ravensburg TowerStars play in the final series for promotion to the DEL. In the end, however, nobody may rise – that almost has a tradition.
The playoffs of the second German ice hockey league go into the decisive phase: On Thursday evening, the final series between the Dresden Eislöwen and the Ravensburg TowerStars begins. While the Dresden Eislöwen want to climb into the highest German division, the Ravensburg Towerstars could give the game spoiler again and pose problems with ice hockey Germany-it could be the third year in a row in which no team rises in the DEL. No joke.
Showdown in the second division
The Dresden Eislöwen are for the first time in their club history in the DEL2 playoffs. After a strong semi-final appearance against the favorite Kassel Huskies (4: 2 in the series), the club from Saxony is only four wins from the sporting promotion to the highest German ice hockey league. “We are excited and confident, but we respect Ravensburg”said Eislöwen captain Travis Turnbull to the MDR after the final in the final against the Kassel Huskies.
Ravensburg surprises with playoff power
The respect for the tower stars is justified. With the Krefeld Penguins, the Upper Swabia threw the next favorite out of the race for the promotion last weekend. This season hardly anyone really had the three-time second division champion on the note.
The Ravensburger ended the main round in third place. Ravensburg focuses on the first storm series: Robbie Czarnik, Erik Karlsson and Mathew Santos have impressively delivered in the previous twelve playoff games. Each of the three already comes to 17 scorer points – together it brings the trio to a whopping 51 points. An offensive that is currently hardly to be broken.
Strong performance without Advice on climbing
As strong as the performance of the tower stars are, their success has a catch: they are not allowed to climb. The club has not applied for a license for DEL operation. If he won the series, there would be no promoted. The sporty relegation, Düsseldorfer eG, would remain first -class. Just like in the past three seasons.
A well -known problem of the DEL
In the 2022/23 season, Ravensburg already won the DEL2 championship, but also waived the promotion at the time. A year later, the Eisbären Regensburg secured the DEL2 title. But they also did not register for the DEL game. In both cases, the Augsburg Panthers were the actual relegation from the highest German division. Now benefits the Düsseldorfer eG?
Even before the beginning of the 2024/25 season, several DEL clubs had loudly called for reforms. In a survey by the German Press Agency, numerous responsible persons for Playdowns or a permanent relegation with the DEL2 spoke out-in response to the recurring problem: sporty teams who remain in the league through a refused rise of the DEL2 champions.
Well, at the end of the season, this case could come back again. The problem that you wanted to fix is back in the room and ensures frustration among fans, but also for structural questions for the league work.
Düsseldorf between chaos and hope
“The season was a disaster and we want to apologize to everyone”said DEG press spokesman Frieder Feldmann after the last game of the season in Düsseldorf Dome about the indoor microphone when the sporting descent was determined.
Disputed shareholders, unrest within the association and a sporty catastrophic performance led to the descent of the Bundesliga founding member. Now the Düsseldorf fans can hope again. According to the club, the planning for the second division has long been running, at least for the moment.
Dresden wants to create facts
Dresden, on the other hand, would like to put an end to the Düsseldorf hopes. The team of coach Niklas Sundblad wants to clarify on the ice cream on the ice. The team has continuously increased over the season, convinced in the playoffs above all defensively: only 17 goals in eleven games.
Keeper Danny also has a high proportion of this defensive strength from the birches, formerly national player in Germany: “I love sport and I love the team. I have a lot of fun with the team, which is not normal in the form”said the 40-year-old after moving into the final series.
Dresden is not only a historical opportunity, but also symbolically: as a team that can create clear conditions – on the ice and for the league. With a title win and the possible climb, the ice lions would send a strong signal: that sporting success must be rewarded – and that ambition and structure can go hand in hand. Meanwhile, the DEG must continue to hope. However, Dresden himself has in hand to rewrite the story.