Chaos at Tölzer Löwen's debut: disturbance, fire alert, and early loss
Tölzer Löwen Suffer 5-7 Loss in Season Opener Against Bayreuth
The Tölzer Löwen started their 2022/2023 ice hockey season on a disappointing note, suffering a 5-7 loss against Bayreuth. The game was filled with action, drama, and a few controversial moments.
The first period saw Bayreuth take a 2-0 lead, but the Löwen fought back. After being down 0-2 and 2-3, they managed to turn the game around, with top scorer Topi Piipponen scoring a crucial goal shortly before the end to bring them within one, making the score 6-5.
Defenders Karel Klikorka and Nicolas Sauer played a significant role in bringing the Löwen back into the game. However, their comeback was short-lived as Florian Lüsch scored the 7:5 goal due to a missed pass by the Löwen.
The Löwen's defense was a major concern throughout the game. Shaky defense, too many puck losses, imprecise passes, and offensive mistakes were common issues for the home team. Coach Axel Kammerer admitted that the defense was not good, and the Löwen allowed Bayreuth's power play too often, which contributed to their defeat.
Bayreuth also made mistakes, but they seemed to have fewer weaknesses going forward compared to the Löwen. Michal Spacek scored both goals for Bayreuth during their power plays in the final period.
The game was not without its fair share of drama. An argument between Nirschl and Barber escalated to the point where the police had to intervene, causing the game not to be restarted with one second left on the clock. Earlier in the game, the stadium was temporarily evacuated due to a false fire alarm.
Goaltender Matthias Bittner had good actions but seemed unsure about one or two goals. Dominik Piskor scored into the empty net for the final goal of the game, making the score 7:5.
Despite the loss, the Löwen will look to bounce back in their next game. The coach and players will need to address the defensive issues if they want to secure their first win of the season.
