During a crisis, attention turns to those professionals who have already spent several years in the business. At the Löwen Frankfurt in the German Ice Hockey League (DEL) this is a professional like Carter Rowney, who played game number 100 and 101 for the Lions last weekend almost unnoticed.
And with great success for the Frankfurt team after a week-long break: On Friday, the Hessians stole a point from Cologne (2:3 defeat after a penalty shootout), and on Sunday even the Adler Mannheim were surprisingly beaten 5:3 in the derby. The table situation thus relaxed. The Lions are now four points away from the relegation zone, and the duel next Friday (7:30 p.m.) against the last-placed Augsburger Panthers could already point the way in the fight against relegation.
The 34-year-old Rowney no longer appears at the top of the DEL scoring lists this season. Things were different last season: At the end of the main round he was the third best scorer in the league, and he is currently ranked 47th in this ranking. But the value of a player cannot only be judged by the goals scored and assists. When you watch Rowney on the ice, you see a ripped-off professional. He rarely takes unnecessary steps and often works deep in his own half. He regularly looks for and finds important spaces – whether in the defensive line-up or in the offensive game. His puck control is still outstanding in the DEL.
“Lead by example”
But the Lions are in a phase in which games cannot be won with the quality of individual players alone. “We were all able to process something during the break and come back with fresh minds,” says Rowney, who has only scored four goals since the beginning of December. He has six games left to improve his personal record.
Stefan Krämer, managing partner of the Lions, said on the Magentasport streaming service during the first third break of the derby against Mannheim: “The big boys, the big boys, have to lead the way now. As the saying goes: The best must be the best.” Rowney’s role has changed in his second year in Frankfurt. In his first season he led the team in a solid line with Dominik Bokk and Brendan Ranford, they were the outstanding players in the Frankfurt team. Now he is less often the center of attention. “What I can do now is lead by example and be a strong voice when it is needed,” he says about the pressure that has been relieved somewhat by the win over Mannheim.
The reasons why the Lions around Rowney ended up in such an unfortunate situation after a strong start to the season remain largely silent among those responsible. “You get the feeling that the team became too arrogant, and there were also a few things that happened in the dressing room,” indicated Krämer. But he didn’t say anything more about it. Canadian Rowney also points to a lack of consistency in the games and that the team is now pulling together again.
Valentin Teufel Published/Updated: Recommendations: 2 Valentin Teufel Published/Updated: Bernd Schwickerath Published/Updated: Recommendations: 2
If Carter Rowney stays injury-free, he will also surpass the 200 game mark for the Lions. Because his contract runs for the next two seasons. But the basic requirement for the existence of the contract remains that they remain in the class. “Of course we can also play in the DEL2. As of today, however, we only have one or two players under contract,” said Krämer. Rowney and some colleagues are also playing for their future at the Frankfurt location.
