Krimmichau beat Bitigheim Stalers 5:2 on Saturday evening in the DEL2, ending a stretch of mixed results for the home side. The visitors had looked lively in their last outing, a 4:2 win over Bad Nauheim, but this fixture told a different story. By then, the home crowd had already started to believe in something more than just potential.
And here's the thing about the opening exchanges — Krimmichau didn't waste time. They pressed high, caught Bitigheim on the transition, and took a lead that felt comfortable rather than lucky. Bitigheim's backline looked uncoordinated when pressed, and the visitors' coach will have seen plenty to worry about.
The second period brought more of the same, though Bitigheim managed to pull one back. To be fair, they created chances, but Krimmichau's goaltender stood tall when it mattered. The home side added another before the break, and the game slipped away from the visitors in those final minutes.
The third period was mostly about managing the lead. Krimmichau kept possession, let Bitigheim come at them, and absorbed the pressure. The visitors threw bodies into the game but couldn't find the rhythm they'd shown in their previous match. That's the difference between a team that knows how to close things out and one that doesn't.
Looking at the recent form, Krimmichau had won four of their last five before this match, including that impressive 5:1 victory over Landshut. Bitigheim, meanwhile, had lost three of their last four, and this result deepens their troubles in the table.
The standings tell a simple story at this stage. Krimmichau sit sixth after seven games, Bitigheim tenth. Both teams have played the same number of matches, and the gap between them is now more than just a matter of position.
For Krimmichau, this is a result they'll want to build on. A clean sweep of their recent fixtures would put them in a strong position, and the confidence from tonight could carry them further. Bitigheim need to find consistency — and quickly.
