Story Summary
Löwen Frankfurt signed off for the Germany Cup break with a 5-2 home victory over ERC Ingolstadt, combining sharp transition play with a composed defensive effort and key saves from Adam Scheel.
Anthony Romano opened the scoring in the sixth minute after Markus Schweiger carried a two-on-one rush down the left and found him in stride. Cam Brace doubled the advantage in the 13th minute, skating clear from Frankfurt’s own zone after a pass into space and finishing his breakaway.
Timo Kose made it 3-0 in the 32nd minute, converting after Noah Dunham drove to the net on a counter-attack and fed the trailing forward while falling. Ingolstadt had enjoyed long spells of possession, but Frankfurt limited the visitors’ dangerous looks and Scheel repeatedly denied their attempts to establish a foothold.
Daniel Pietta redirected a pass in the 41st minute to bring Ingolstadt back into the contest at 3-1. Frankfurt answered while short-handed six minutes later: Schweiger intercepted an Ingolstadt build-up, Daniel Pfaffengut collected the rebound from his initial attempt and scored on his return from injury. Morgan Ellis reduced the deficit again in the 52nd minute, but Pfaffengut sealed the 5-2 result with an empty-net goal in the final minute.
Key Facts
- Löwen Frankfurt defeated ERC Ingolstadt 5-2 at home in the DEL.
- Anthony Romano scored Frankfurt’s first goal in the sixth minute after a two-on-one counter-attack involving Markus Schweiger.
- Cam Brace made it 2-0 in the 13th minute by finishing a breakaway that began in Frankfurt’s own zone.
- Timo Kose extended Frankfurt’s lead to 3-0 in the 32nd minute after Noah Dunham created the chance on a counter-attack.
- Adam Scheel made several important saves as Ingolstadt generated early chances and later pressed for a comeback.
- Daniel Pietta scored in the 41st minute and Morgan Ellis added Ingolstadt’s second goal in the 52nd minute.
- Daniel Pfaffengut scored twice in his first game back in Frankfurt’s squad following an injury absence.
- Pfaffengut’s first goal came short-handed in the 47th minute, while his second went into an empty net in the final minute.
IHM Discussion
Frankfurt’s victory was built on clarity rather than a long spell of territorial control. Ingolstadt started actively and had the puck for extended sequences, but the Löwen were prepared to defend compactly, wait for recoveries and attack the space left behind the Panthers’ pressure.
The opening two goals established the pattern. Romano’s finish came from a two-on-one rush, while Brace took full advantage of room behind the Ingolstadt structure. Kose’s goal in the second period reinforced the value of the approach: Dunham carried the puck into the scoring area on a break before Kose arrived to finish into an open net.
Scheel’s work ensured that those moments held their value. He stopped Peter Abbandonato and then saw Riley Barber miss the rebound opportunity in the first period, stayed alert against Myles Powell late in the second and made further saves as Ingolstadt pushed after Pietta’s goal. Frankfurt did not avoid pressure entirely; they absorbed it without allowing the game to unravel.
Pfaffengut’s return supplied the decisive late contribution. His short-handed goal halted Ingolstadt’s strongest push and restored Frankfurt’s three-goal margin. When the visitors removed Devin Williams for an additional skater, Pfaffengut finished the game with his second of the night.
Why It Matters
It also showed that the Löwen could maintain their structure against a side that created possession and scoring pressure for long stretches.
Frankfurt’s ability to score from quick breaks was especially important. Romano, Brace and Kose all converted opportunities generated in transition, while Pfaffengut provided two goals in different game states after returning to the squad. The victory was therefore not reliant on one scoring line or one isolated phase of the match.
For Ingolstadt, the loss came despite a lively start, substantial puck possession and a determined third-period response. Pietta’s goal gave the Panthers a route back into the game, and Ellis narrowed the gap again, but Frankfurt’s short-handed strike and Scheel’s saves prevented the visitors from producing the sustained pressure required to change the outcome.
Mini Q&A
How did Löwen Frankfurt build their 3-0 lead against ERC Ingolstadt?
Frankfurt scored through Anthony Romano in the sixth minute, Cam Brace in the 13th and Timo Kose in the 32nd, with all three goals arising from quick attacking transitions.
Who scored for Frankfurt in the 5-2 win?
Anthony Romano, Cam Brace and Timo Kose scored once each, while Daniel Pfaffengut scored twice in his return from injury.
When is Frankfurt’s next home game?
Frankfurt are scheduled to host Pinguins Bremerhaven on Friday, 13 November at 19:30 after the Germany Cup break.
Coach Mark Comment
Pfaffengut’s two goals carried different kinds of value on a comeback night. The first was not a polished set play; Schweiger created the turnover while short-handed, Pfaffengut stayed with the rebound, and Frankfurt suddenly had breathing room again at 4-1.
That is a useful way to re-enter a side after an injury absence: be around the puck when the game turns scrappy, then take the opportunity when it comes. The empty-net finish completed the double, but the rebound goal was the moment that stopped Ingolstadt’s chase from gathering real momentum.
What Comes Next
After the Germany Cup break, Löwen Frankfurt host Pinguins Bremerhaven at the NIX Eissporthalle on Friday, 13 November, with face-off scheduled for 19:30.
IHM Final View
Frankfurt earned a convincing 5-2 win by making their transition chances count, defending with discipline and receiving a strong performance from Scheel when Ingolstadt pressed. Pfaffengut’s two-goal return gave the finish an added lift, turning a solid home performance into an encouraging result before the break.