European Handball Club, ERC Ingolstadt, expected to gain an advantage in Germany's DEL opening, following competition in Switzerland's Champions League

ERC Ingolstadt, the German ice hockey team, is heading to Switzerland for a crucial two-game series against EV Zug and Lausanne HC in the Champions League. The games are scheduled for Friday (19:45) against EV Zug and Sunday (14:00) against Lausanne HC, both streaming live on sporteurope.tv.

The weekend's focus is on assessing their current standing in the Champions League. Coach Mark French acknowledges that these games will be good tests for the team, as both EV Zug and Lausanne HC are formidable opponents with a lot of skill. EV Zug, in particular, boasts an excellent goalie, strengthening their defense. Lausanne HC, on the other hand, is the league runner-up and regular season winner in the National League.

The games this weekend are significant as they serve as a dress rehearsal for the start of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) season. Riley Sheen, who spent the summer training intensively and taking a short break on the Bahamas, is fit and pain-free for the start of the season, unlike the beginning of last season when he was injured.

Sheen, who is adapting to the absence of his former storm partner Wojciech Stachowiak, wants the team to be proud of their performance, regardless of the outcome, and return home with a good feeling before the DEL season kickoff.

New line combinations are being automated by the team, and the power play performance is being focused on during training. Coach French, however, is not primarily concerned with the results but rather progress in the team's play.

The team is spending time together and enjoying the Swiss landscape, adding a team-building aspect to the weekend trip. Riley Sheen has high expectations for the season, aiming for the championship title. The team is aware of the challenge posed by the three-time Swiss champions, EV Zug, in terms of intensity and technical strength.

ERC Ingolstadt's recent form in the DEL has been mixed, with one win and one loss in the early season. Their latest game ended in a 4-2 loss against Dresdner Eislöwen, and their next home game is scheduled against Straubing Tigers on October 3, 2025. They are seen as favorites against the Iserlohn Roosters in the season opener on September 12, 2025, but expect a low-scoring, tactical match with under 5.5 total goals, as both teams tend to have defensively tight games.

As the team prepares for these crucial Champions League games, they are determined to put in their best performance and continue their journey towards the championship title.

European Handball Club, ERC Ingolstadt, expected to gain an advantage in Germany's DEL opening, following competition in Switzerland's Champions League