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Both teams have won their opening matches

The defending champions won in Ingolstadt, while Iserlohn demolished Augsburg 6-0 which was the most convincing victory of the first round

Despite unconvincing performances in European Trophy competition, the defending champions Eisbaren won their opening match of the season. In Ingolstadt they had a great start of the match and the captain Andrea Rankela scored the first goal just three minutes into the first period. Their defence was exceptional. Robert Zepp was excellent and half time through the second period Laurin Braun scored the second goal for Eisbaren. Frank Hordler and Shawn Lalonde played crucial part in both attacks that led to goals.

Eisbaren entered third period with solid advantage but then the home team starts playing very offensive and with the two goals in 48th minute of the match they leveled the score. But, Eisbaren players are very experienced and they didn't allow themselves to fall mentally after losing the advantage. Nine minutes before the end of the game Laurin Braun scored his second goal and Eisbaren won the match 3-2.

Head coach Jeff Tomlinson opened the season with victory and said to the press after the match:

- Today's match was very close. In the end we were lucky to score the winning goal. Exceptional performance from our goalkeeper Rob Zepp helped us a lot. This wasn't one of the prettiest matches we had ever played, but the lads fought a great fight. It isn't easy to win points in Ingolstadt.

Eisbaren will be missing their forwards Foy and Christensen, defensemen Braun and Borer, all due to injuries. On the other side, Iselhorn will be encouraged by their big win last Friday.

They won 6-0 against Augsburg and with that big win they hinted that, unlike the catastrophic last season, this year they could actually be a serious opponent.

They started the match against Augsburg in style, but despite their domination the scoreline after first 20 minutes stand at 0-0. In the second period they pushed the pedal even more and with the goals from Brooks Macek, Marin Sertich and Tyson Mullock the took the 3-0 lead. With that result they entered the last period, a period in which they scored three more goals. Michael Wolf (2 goals and an assist) continued where he left off last season, and Martin Sertich couldn't had wished for a better debut in Iserlohn jersey (one goal and three assists). Goalkeeper Sebastian Caron also enjoyed a good show as he had successfully defended all 23 shots on his goal.

- We couldn't have wished for the better start of the season. The players were playing exactly how I told them to in the locker room. Now we are traveling to Berlin full of confidence and we will try to outplay the defending champions - said Iserlohn's coach Doug Mason after the match.

They will be facing a tough challenge tonight. Eisbaren is a much better team than Augsburg. It will be a difficult match for them but if they manage to play like they did last Friday they could have a real chance in this one.

Eisbaren are still working on their defensive play, so their matches in the European Trophy were all high scoring occasions. They have a lot of individual quality in attack with players who can score almost out of nothing. On the other hand, we have Iserlohn, scoring six on Friday, with Wolf and York - two of the best scorers in the League. I expect a proper goalfest in this game, however I have decided on a more conservative and cautious option - over 5 goals. Rankel, Olver, Tallackson and Braun on one hand, with York, Wolf, Mullock and Sertich on the other, guarantee that happening.