Frankfurt, Germany – The Löwen Frankfurt ice hockey team faces a challenging stretch of games as the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) regular season nears its conclusion. Over the next five days, they will compete against three of the league’s top teams: the Adler Mannheim, the Iserlohn Roosters and the EHC Red Bull München. This demanding schedule presents a significant test for the Löwen, who are currently focused on solidifying their position and evaluating talent for the future. The upcoming matches will be crucial in determining their final standing in the DEL.
The Löwen will first travel to Mannheim on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, for a game against the Adler at the SAP Arena, starting at 7:30 PM local time. They then return home to host the Iserlohn Roosters at the NIX Eissporthalle on Friday, March 6, 2026, with a 7:30 PM puck drop. The week concludes with a Sunday “matinee” game against the EHC Red Bull München at the SAP Garden, beginning at 2:00 PM. These games represent a critical juncture for the Löwen as they navigate the final stages of the season.
Adler Mannheim: Battling for Top Four Status
The Adler Mannheim currently hold the second position in the DEL standings with 92 points, but their place among the league’s elite is not secure. Teams like Straubing (also with 92 points), München (90 points), and Ingolstadt (88 points) are closely trailing, making every game crucial. Mannheim has recently faced some difficulties, with recent results including a 3-4 overtime loss to Augsburg, a 2-1 overtime loss to Bremerhaven, and a 2-3 defeat against Straubing. Despite these setbacks, the team, led by coach Dallas Eakins, is expected to be highly motivated for their upcoming match against Frankfurt. Mannheim’s defensive strength is a key asset, having conceded only 112 goals – the fewest in the league – and boasting an impressive 82% penalty kill rate.
Offensively, the Adler are also a force to be reckoned with, led by Antony Greco, who has recorded 14 goals and 28 assists for a total of 42 points. They rank second in the league in both shots (2727) and shots on goal (1512), and third in total goals scored (8163).
Iserlohn Roosters: A Fight for Respectability
The upcoming game against the Iserlohn Roosters is seen as a significant contest for both teams. While realistically, the Roosters are the only team that can mathematically overtake the Löwen in the standings (currently holding 52 points and 12th place), a ten-point gap separates them from the 10th position, making a playoff extension a long shot. Nevertheless, a match between Frankfurt and Iserlohn is rarely lacking in intensity. The Roosters have scored just two more goals than the Löwen (116 to 114) but have conceded nearly thirty fewer (148 versus 176). They also trail Frankfurt in both total shots (1975) and shots on goal (1108). Daniel Fischbuch leads the Roosters in scoring with 17 goals and 25 assists for 42 points.
EHC Red Bull München: Securing Home Ice Advantage
The EHC Red Bull München benefited from the recent Olympic break, which came at a time when they were experiencing a series of losses to Nürnberg, Mannheim, and Schwenningen, jeopardizing their chances of securing a top-four position. Since then, they have demonstrated strong form, winning against Ingolstadt and Augsburg, with their only defeat coming in a narrow 0-1 loss to league leaders Köln. Like Mannheim, München’s success is built on a solid defensive foundation, having conceded only 114 goals – the second-fewest in the league. They excel in 5-on-5 play (CorsiF of 55.53%, second only to Straubing), power play opportunities (23.08%, ranking third), and faceoffs. Taro Hirose is the team’s leading scorer with 8 goals and 40 assists for a total of 48 points.
Löwen Frankfurt: Building for the Future
Despite a recent 3-2 victory over Wolfsburg, the Löwen Frankfurt have already missed out on qualifying for the first round of the playoffs. While the win was their fourth in the last five games, their playoff hopes were realistically extinguished beforehand. The focus is now shifting towards the future and the upcoming season. Head Coach Tom Pokel’s system is increasingly taking shape, particularly when the team adheres to the necessary structures on the ice. The Löwen have shown improvement in their power play (19.29%, ranking ninth), penalty kill (ranking eighth), passing game, and zone defense. But, areas for improvement remain, particularly in offensive output, shot production, and Corsi values, where they rank among the league’s weakest teams. The current games are serving as an evaluation period for the 2026/27 season, as Pokel aims to fully imprint his coaching philosophy on the team.
The Deutsche Eishockey Liga, founded in 1994, is the premier professional ice hockey league in Germany, and the Löwen Frankfurt are actively working to build a competitive team within this challenging environment. The DEL is a key part of the European ice hockey landscape, with teams participating in the Champions Hockey League.
The Löwen’s upcoming games against Mannheim, Iserlohn, and München will provide valuable insights into their progress and set the stage for their preparations for the next season. Fans can follow the team’s performance and stay updated on the latest news through the Löwen Frankfurt official website.
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