Matthias Baldys, sports director of the Cologne Sharks, reflects on a successful main season as they prepare for the playoffs, starting Sunday against Bremerhaven. The Sharks achieved their highest points average since 2016/17 and secured their playoff position as the sixth seed. With sold-out crowds and a strong finish, Baldys expresses optimism for the playoffs, while goalie Tobias Ancicka emphasizes the heightened intensity of postseason play. Coach Kari Jalonen acknowledges the different level of competition ahead.
Cologne Sharks Gear Up for Playoffs
As the playoffs approach, Matthias Baldys, the sports director of the Cologne Sharks, reflects on the team’s successful main season, which saw the establishment of a new attendance record and the anticipation of their upcoming opponent.
This Sunday at 3 PM, the Cologne Sharks will kick off their playoff journey against the second-place team from Bremerhaven. This season, the Sharks achieved their highest points average (87) since the 2016/17 season, securing their playoff spot as the sixth seed. Last year, they faced an earlier exit in the pre-playoffs.
A Strong Start to the Playoffs
The Sharks confirmed their direct playoff entry two matchdays before the conclusion of the main round, successfully reaching the minimum goal set at the season’s outset. “This is a validation that we belong here and have earned our place,” Baldys stated in a recent interview. “It’s especially satisfying given the competitive nature of the league this season.”
The competition was particularly fierce near the bottom of the standings, with the Cologne Sharks being the sole representative from North Rhine-Westphalia to maintain a consistent performance throughout the main round. The Iserlohn Roosters celebrated their survival in the penultimate match, while Düsseldorfer EG faced relegation in the final round.
The sold-out crowds during the two local derbies significantly contributed to KEC’s impressive attendance figures, averaging 17,829 fans per game. “It’s remarkable and fills me with joy to see such enthusiasm from the city and the team,” Baldys remarked. He hopes that this electric atmosphere translates into momentum for the team as they head into the playoffs.
Bremerhaven’s coach, Alexander Sulzer, a former player for the Sharks, leads a team that enters the playoffs with considerable confidence. Having guided his squad to a strong finish last season, where they fell just short against Eisbären Berlin, Sulzer has rapidly ascended in his coaching career. Baldys commended Sulzer’s achievements this year.
During their last match of the main round, the Sharks faced off against Bremerhaven and secured a convincing 4:1 win, which Baldys deemed as the “best game of the season.” Goalie Tobias Ancicka echoed this sentiment, stating it provided a positive momentum heading into the playoffs. However, he cautioned against overestimating the significance of the result.
“The intensity of the playoffs is incomparable to the main round,” Ancicka noted, while coach Kari Jalonen acknowledged that while hockey will be played, it will embody a different intensity in the playoffs.
Baldys is optimistic about the upcoming challenges, emphasizing the importance of balancing tension and enjoyment during this crucial time. “This is the pinnacle of hockey, and it’s what the players strive for,” he concluded, looking forward to an exciting playoff season ahead.