HC Erlangen also wins its second test against Rimpar Wolves

HC Erlangen has also won its second test game as part of its preparations during the winter, defeating Rimpar Wolves by 30:25 (13:10). HC Erlangen, despite missing their defensive organizer Petter Overby due to the fact that he was playing in the final of the World Championships, nevertheless defended well in the Mittelschulhalle in Roßtal. Erlangen forced the Wolves to run the risk of being penalized for passive play on just about every attack and so was able to build an 8:5 lead by the 10th minute. The second-division club also found it tough to break through in the remaining 20 minutes of the half. It was only a failure to take its chances that prevented HC Erlangen from opening up a gap of more than four goals. The visitors stretched their lead to 12:9 when Dominik Mappes put the ball in the empty net shortly before the end of the first half. Both teams went in at half-time with the score standing at 13:10.

The Wolves produced a 3:0 run after the break to tie the encounter at 13:13. Erlangen kept on carving out top-class chances in attack, but were thwarted by a string of saves by the in-form Rimpar goalkeepers. Bissel put his team back ahead (15:14 in the 36th minute) and, after winning possession in defense, Jan Schäffer made it 16:14 with his third goal. Aðalsteinn Eyjólfsson used the game to test various formations, both in attack and defense. Rimpar repeatedly operated with a seventh field player, but HC Erlangen’s defense often stole possession to score in the Wolves’ empty goal. Jan Schäffer, who was excellently set free by the playmakers Büdel, Haaß and Mappes, put the HC 23:20 in front in the 48th minute. Erlangen’s switching from defense to attack and back continued to bear fruit and the HC repeatedly managed to score simple goals on the counter in crunch time. HC Erlangen finally ran out deserved winners by 30:25.

Source: www.hc-erlangen.de