Starbulls Rosenheim vs Kassel

Rosenheim struck inside the opening minute. Defenseman Maximilian Adam opened the scoring at 0:53, catching the Kassel defence cold as the hosts seized early control.

Kassel's response came late in the first period via the power play. Sven Valenti — now serving as assistant coach under Petteri Väkiparta but still dressed for action — one-timed a Matt White feed to make it 1-1 at 18:55. The period ended tied at 1-1.

Rosenheim reclaimed the lead early in the second. Another power-play goal at 21:41 put the hosts up 2-1, and Kassel had to kill a subsequent penalty to stay in touch. Sebastian Laßmann, a tryout player in the Huskies lineup, equalised at 30:37, cleaning up a rebound after Michael Müller's shot caused problems in the crease. The score stayed 2-2 into the second intermission.

Kassel controlled the start of the third. Jimmy Martinovic let go a shot from distance that beat goalie Fießinger to the top-right corner at 41:37, giving the visitors their first lead at 3-2.

Rosenheim refused to wilt. A power-play goal at 51:30 made it 3-3, and the momentum briefly swung the hosts' way. Martinovic received a game misconduct after a scuffle, and Kassel faced a daunting 68-second 5-on-3 penalty kill. The Huskies survived it with disciplined shot-blocking.

Seconds after returning to full strength, Kassel broke the deadlock. Chris Wilkie took a feed in the slot and fired under the crossbar at 55:41 to make it 4-3. Rosenheim pulled goalie Fießinger in the final minute and had a power play with 66 seconds left, but Kassel held firm.

Wilkie's goal at 55:41 was the game's decisive moment — not just because it broke the 3-3 deadlock, but because of what preceded it. Kassel had just killed a 5-on-3 disadvantage for 68 seconds while also down a man after Martinovic's ejection. Surviving that sequence then scoring immediately on the counter was a significant psychological lift. Rosenheim had no time left to mount a third comeback.

• Chris Wilkie (Kassel) — Scored the game-winner at 55:41, showing composure in tight space. The US import was a constant threat throughout.
• Sven Valenti (Kassel) — Opened Kassel's account with a power-play goal in the first period, playing a dual role as both player and assistant coach.
• Philipp Maurer (Kassel) — Solid in goal, making key saves to preserve the lead during Rosenheim's late power play and the earlier 5-on-3 kill.
• Sebastian Laßmann (Kassel) — The tryout player made a strong case for a contract with a gritty rebound goal at 30:37 to make it 2-2.
• Jimmy Martinovic (Kassel) — Scored a highlight-reel goal from distance to give Kassel its first lead, though his night ended early after a misconduct.

The 1-1-1-1 period scoring pattern — each team matching the other in the first two periods before Kassel edged the third 2-1 — illustrates a closely fought contest between two DEL2 sides still building fitness. Rosenheim's two power-play goals (first and third periods) show their special teams are sharpening ahead of the season. Kassel's penalty kill, particularly the 68-second 5-on-3, was arguably the difference. Kassel scored once with the man advantage (Valenti, first period) and once at even strength (Wilkie).

Kassel Huskies are now a perfect 2-0 in preseason after beating Villacher SV 7-4 on 16 August in Zell am See. Rosenheim, who beat Oberliga side Bad Tölz 3-2 on 19 August, sit at 1-1 in their preseason programme. Neuzugang Brendan O'Donnell made his Kassel debut in this fixture.

Next up for Kassel: A home test against Dresdner Eislöwen on 6 September, followed by the Probonio Preseason Cup. Next up for Rosenheim: A trip to Villacher SV on 30 August, then a friendly against HC Pustertal on 2 September.

A genuine pre-season contest that had intensity, special-teams drama and a late winner. Kassel's ability to win while surviving a 5-on-3 shorthanded stretch and Martinovic's ejection demonstrates promising resilience under Väkiparta. Rosenheim will be encouraged by their two power-play goals but will want more defensive structure against a direct opponent.