Bitigheim Stalers took three points from their opening fixture against Bad Neuhaim, winning 4:2 in DEL2 action on Thursday evening. The result keeps both sides level on zero points after six games, though the gap in experience between the two teams showed through in the final score.
Both sides had been through similar spells recently. The hosts lost four of their five previous matches, including narrow defeats to Kassel and Dresdner Eislöwen, while the visitors struggled similarly with losses to Starbulls Rosenheim and Ravensburg. They had both beaten Weiden 4:3 on September 20th, so there was at least one common reference point.
And here's the thing — we had backed the home side going into this one, and the result confirmed that call. Sixty-seven percent confidence wasn't built on blind faith. Bitigheim had shown they could score against the better sides when they put five past Starbulls Rosenheim, and that attacking intent came through again.
Bad Neuhaim had been defensive-minded in their recent outings, failing to score against Lausitzer Füchse and keeping just one goal in their last three matches. By then, the visitors were playing catch-up from the opening exchanges, and the deficit grew rather than narrowed.
Both teams remain in the bottom half of the table, though the standings tell only part of the story. With six games played and zero points accumulated by both sides, the league table is still finding its shape. What matters now is whether Bitigheim can turn this win into momentum, or if Bad Neuhaim can find a response away from home next time.
