After winning three games in a row on their return to the Champions Hockey League for the first time in six years, ERC Ingolstadt have finally dropped their first points as they fell 6-1 to Dynamo Pardubice on the road.
The Czechs scored four in the first period and two in the second as the Germans looked out of depth for most of the game. Ingolstadt were outshot by Pardubice, struggled with discipline and spent far too much time on the PK to be able to get back into the game. What went wrong?
"Our start wasn't optimal," said defenceman Fabio Wagner, "we were just one step behind the entire game."
"We weren't disciplined enough"Fabio Wagner, ERC Ingolstadt
"Pardubice really pushed us - they were the better team on the night," he added.
The seven-goal game was also marked by some occasional pushing, shoving and fighting between the two teams as the difference on the board grew. Gloves came off a few times and some players, on both ends of the ice, were sent to the locker room prematurely.
"Yeah, we did our best to win one-on-one battles but our discipline wasn't up to scratch," commented Wagner, "that limited us in getting back into the game."
Hundreds of Ingolstadt fans made the roughly five-hour trip to Pardubice for the game - did the players on the ice notice?
"Of course," responded Wagner immediately, "already in Salzburg we had unbelievable support from our fans."
"They support us regardless of how far we travel, we're so grateful for that!" he ended.
Ingolstadt's next game in the CHL is at home on Tuesday 10 October against the Växjö Lakers.