EHC Freiburg will have a hard time making the play-off series in the quarter-finals of the second German ice hockey league (DEL2) exciting.

The Lions have won all three games so far.

With a fourth win this Tuesday (7:30 p.m.) in Freiburg, they would be one step further.

So far, the Freiburgers have lacked the speed to prevent the team of Löwen coach Bo Subr from their dominant offensive game.

Especially on Sunday, when the Löwen won 5-1, the Freiburgers often had no choice but to defend themselves on the ice with frustrated physical strength.

There were three physical altercations on the ice.

Sports director Franz-David Fritzmeier also noted the toughness of the opponent: "If you want to have a chance, you have to come with such toughness."

Despite the superiority so far, Fritzmeier does not want to see a careless appearance in Freiburg.

"We have to do our best, Freiburg will try everything again," he says.

In the case of those responsible for the lions, they are already looking at the potential next opponents.

"Of course we watch all the games," says the sporting director.

Since the lions finished the main round in first place, they would play in the semifinals against the club with the worst main round placement.

It is possible that there will be a derby against the Kassel Huskies or the EC Bad Nauheim.

Kassel leads the series against Nauheim 2:1.

But Heilbronn could also be the next opponent, the Falcons lead in the series against the Dresdner Eislöwen 2:1.

New sponsors

The tense financial situation is the only cause of misery in the environment of the lions.

A season in the German Ice Hockey League cannot be financed without new sponsors who are involved on a larger scale.

Thus, the ascent, although worked out athletically, would not be possible for economic reasons.

Whether another season in the DEL2 can be financed is not yet entirely certain.

If anything, it would be on a smaller budget.

A squad like the current one, which is peppered with many strong individual players and is also adequately staffed in depth, will not exist in the coming season without new main sponsors.