By Sports Editorial Staff
Updated: October 24, 2026, 11:19 AM
The DEL2 landscape witnessed a night of stark contrasts this past Friday, October 23, 2026. While the hockey faithful in the Saxon capital of Dresden were treated to a resilient, high-scoring performance from the home team, the mood in Weißwasser and Crimmitschau remained somber. In a night defined by both comeback grit and defensive fragility, the Dresden Eislöwen emerged as the lone victors among the region’s elite, securing a dominant 6-2 win over the Starbulls Rosenheim. Conversely, the Lausitzer Füchse and the Eispiraten Crimmitschau found themselves struggling with consistency, dropping critical points that could prove costly as the season progresses.
The Dresden Eislöwen: A Masterclass in Resilience
The atmosphere inside the Joynext-Arena was electric, with over 4,000 spectators creating a cauldron of noise. However, the early stages of the game suggested an upset might be on the cards for the visitors from Rosenheim.
A Shaky Start
The Starbulls opened the game with aggressive forechecking, catching the Eislöwen off guard. Within the first ten minutes, the visitors stunned the home crowd with a devastating 27-second blitz. Tomas Rubes capitalized on a power-play opportunity, followed almost immediately by a clinical finish from Jordan Taupert. At 0-2 down, the Eislöwen appeared rattled, with their defensive transitions lacking the necessary sharpness.
The Turning Point
The momentum began to shift in the 16th minute. Felix Krüger, assisted by the ever-dangerous Adam Helewka, found the back of the net to cut the deficit. This goal acted as a catalyst, settling the nerves of the home squad. By the second period, the ice had tilted entirely in Dresden’s favor. Tom Knobloch’s equalizer in the 36th minute was a moment of individual brilliance, weaving through the Rosenheim defense before slotting the puck home. Just two minutes later, Rico Hendreschke completed the turnaround, giving the Eislöwen their first lead of the night.
A Commanding Finish
Rather than sitting back, the Eislöwen tightened their grip in the third period. Sebastian Gorcik extended the lead to 4-2 in the 48th minute, effectively deflating the Starbulls’ spirits. Two power-play goals in the final frame—one from Gregory Kreutzer (52’) and a final nail in the coffin from David Suvanto (60’)—sealed a 6-2 victory. With this win, the team under the guidance of head coach Bohuslav Subr has solidified their position in sixth place, proving that they are a legitimate force in the DEL2 main round.
Lausitzer Füchse: A Defensive Meltdown in Weißwasser
In contrast to the celebratory scenes in Dresden, the Eishalle in Weißwasser played host to another disappointing chapter in the Lausitzer Füchse’s season. Facing the EHC Freiburg, currently languishing near the bottom of the table, the home side failed to capitalize on their opportunities, ultimately falling 2-4.
The Fragility of Home Form
This loss marks the fourth defeat in five home games for the Füchse. Coach Christof Kreutzer expressed his frustration in the post-game assessment, noting that the team’s tactical discipline, particularly in the neutral zone, was absent. The Füchse were consistently caught out of position, allowing Freiburg to exploit gaps that shouldn’t have existed.
A Tight Battle Lost
The first period was a tactical stalemate, with neither team finding the back of the net. However, the game opened up in the second period. After falling behind 0-2, the Füchse showed glimpses of their potential, with Jacob Schmidt-Svejstrup and Christopher Theodore finding the net on the power play to level the score.
Despite the parity, the final period proved fatal. Freiburg reclaimed the lead in the 54th minute, and the Füchse, desperate to find an equalizer, pushed too far forward. The game ended on a sour note when Dylan Plouffe converted into an empty net, confirming a 2-4 defeat that leaves questions regarding the defensive structure of the team.
Eispiraten Crimmitschau: A Lackluster Display in Memmingen
The third major story of the evening involved the Eispiraten Crimmitschau, who entered their clash against the league’s tenth-placed team, Memmingen, as the heavy favorites. However, the visitors from Saxony delivered a disjointed performance, resulting in a 2-3 loss.
Early Promise Fades
Collin Adams gave the Eispiraten an ideal start, scoring in the 3rd minute. For a brief moment, it looked as if the visitors would cruise to an easy victory. However, the "Indians" of Memmingen displayed superior physicality, winning the majority of the board battles. Their persistence paid off late in the second period, with two goals in quick succession that flipped the scoreline on its head.
The Deciding Factor
While Louis Brune managed to tie the game at 2-2 in the 45th minute, the Eispiraten struggled to maintain the necessary offensive pressure. The game was ultimately decided in the 56th minute when Markus Lillich capitalized on a power-play opportunity. For the Eispiraten, it was their fifth defeat of the season—a result that highlights a worrying trend of inconsistency for a team that has aspirations of contending for the top spots in the league.
Chronology of the Night
- 10th Minute: Starbulls Rosenheim stun Dresden with two goals in 27 seconds (Rubes & Taupert).
- 16th Minute: Felix Krüger (Dresden) scores to initiate the comeback.
- 36th Minute: Tom Knobloch (Dresden) ties the game at 2-2.
- 38th Minute: Rico Hendreschke (Dresden) puts the Eislöwen in the lead for the first time.
- 48th-60th Minute: Dresden scores three unanswered goals to finalize a 6-2 rout.
- 54th Minute: Freiburg breaks the 2-2 tie against Lausitzer Füchse.
- 56th Minute: Markus Lillich scores the game-winner for Memmingen against Crimmitschau.
Implications for the DEL2 Standings
The results of this Friday night have significant implications for the mid-season table.
- Dresden’s Stability: By securing their sixth win in eleven games, the Eislöwen are distancing themselves from the mid-table chaos. Their ability to recover from a 0-2 deficit suggests a mental toughness that is often the hallmark of a playoff-bound team.
- Crisis in Weißwasser: The Lausitzer Füchse are currently in a precarious position. With four losses in five home games, they are struggling to build a fortress at the Eishalle. Without a quick tactical adjustment in their defensive transition, they risk sliding further down the standings.
- Crimmitschau’s Reality Check: The Eispiraten, despite their status as the second-placed team heading into the match, proved that they are susceptible to complacency. Their failure to beat a lower-ranked side suggests that they must tighten up their physical play if they intend to hold onto their high ranking throughout the winter.
Official Responses and Tactical Outlook
Post-game interviews reflected a clear divide between the coaching staffs. In Dresden, the sentiment was one of relief and pride. Coach Subr praised his team’s "unwavering commitment to the game plan, even when the scoreboard looked grim." He highlighted the power-play efficiency as the cornerstone of their late-game dominance.
In contrast, the camps of the Füchse and the Eispiraten were dominated by calls for accountability. Both organizations are expected to hold closed-door sessions to analyze the defensive errors that led to the conceding of goals in the final minutes of their respective matches.
Looking Ahead
The DEL2 season is a marathon, not a sprint. As the teams prepare for their next fixtures, the primary focus will be on addressing the specific breakdowns witnessed this Friday. For Dresden, the challenge will be maintaining this level of intensity against stronger opponents. For Weißwasser and Crimmitschau, the goal is to stop the bleeding and recapture the form that made them early-season contenders.
As the league continues to evolve, one thing remains certain: the parity within the DEL2 ensures that no team can afford a night off. Friday night served as a reminder that in professional hockey, games are won and lost in the details—the transition passes, the defensive positioning, and the ability to capitalize on special teams. The Eislöwen mastered these details, while their regional rivals were left to rue what could have been.
For more in-depth coverage of regional hockey, including full game statistics and player interviews, visit our "Sport im Osten" section.
