The 29-year-old Swede, who moved from Leipzig (Oberliga) to Landsberg, impressed as one of the best forwards in the league with 52 points from 29 games. 'Victor was one of the guarantors of our success, we are very happy that he will stay with us,' said HCL Vice President Michael Grundei. 'He's also working with the youngsters and is doing a great job here too.' Östling himself was also pleased: 'My partner and I like it very much in Landsberg, the city simply has a high quality of life. We have a young team that can certainly finish a little further up the table next season, and I want to play my part in that.'

Östling also scored reliably in the play-off series against Erding, but it wasn't quite enough for the Riverkings to reach the semi-finals. However, it was a surprise that they were able to force the Gladiators from Erding into game seven at all. Landsberg fended off the first match point for Erding with a dramatic home win in game six. In front of over 2000 spectators in the Landsberg ice rink, Grözinger and Reicheneder scored for the HCL to make it 2:2 before Manuel Müller scored the much-celebrated 3:2 winner after a counter-attack.

In the all-important game seven in Erding, Frantisek Wagner equalised 1:1 for Landsberg, but with two goals in the second period, the hosts ultimately secured their place in the semi-finals and the HCL were unable to do anything about it. Nevertheless, the almost 600 Landsberg fans who had travelled with them celebrated the team and coach long after the final whistle for an outstanding performance in the final phase of the season. 'I'm very proud of the team, which was tactically disciplined, passionate and powerful throughout the series,' said a satisfied coach Martin Hoffmann. 'I think that's also what the spectators celebrated with their great support.'

Only on the last matchday of the main round was it possible to secure participation in the pre-play-offs with a win in Geretsried, where EHC Klostersee from Grafing awaited. More than 1,300 spectators watched an extremely exciting game in the first encounter in the Landsberg ice rink, in which Markus Kerber scored the lead for the Riverkings in the 15th minute.

Bergsdorf had the 2:0 on his stick with a penalty shortly before the first break, but was denied by the strong EHC goalie. Shortly afterwards, Klostersee equalised at 1:1 instead. As both teams were unable to capitalise on their good opportunities in regulation time, the game went into overtime, where Frantisek Wagner scored to give Landsberg a celebrated 2:1 victory.

Two days later, the Riverkings were often forced into defence in Grafing, but repeatedly launched promising counter-attacks. So it was Markus Kerber again who put the HCL ahead after a fine individual performance, and the 2:0 for Landsberg through Heß also came after a build-up mistake by the hosts.

HCL promptly replied to Klostersee's 2:1 with a 3:1 through Grözinger. After the home side scored again, it was an open game with great chances on both sides. Six minutes before the end, it was Östling who, again after a solo run, ended the series for Landsberg with his goal to make it 4:2 and lift his team into the play-off quarter-finals.

The top favourites in the league, the Erding Gladiators, now await the Riverkings in the 'best-of-seven' series. At the same time, the HCL has already secured its place in the league ahead of time with this success.

Despite recent rather rare successes, around 900 fans once again came to the Landsberg ice rink for the home game against the Devils Ulm. Lukas Hess put the Riverkings ahead twice, Klingler equalised twice for the Swabians. The 3:2 winning goal for Ulm in overtime was lucky; based on the course of the game and the distribution of chances, Landsberg would have deserved the extra point.
The extra point came two days later in Amberg, although it didn't look like it after the first period. Although the HCL was once again superior, they fell behind 0:3 after two defensive mistakes and an overtime goal; Brandon Walkom was responsible for all three goals on the Amberg side.
With a lot of fighting spirit and commitment, the Riverkings worked their way back to 3:3 until the final period with goals from Victor Östling, Filipp Bergsdorf and Frantisk Wagner in front of numerous fans who had travelled to the Upper Palatinate. In the 54th minute, Binder even gave the visitors the lead for the first time with a goal from behind the net, but Walkom's fourth goal saved Amberg in overtime.

There, however, Kasten gave his team-mates and the Landsberg fans something to cheer about with an unstoppable shot into the corner to make it 5:4 after just 35 seconds.

A good 700 spectators attended the game against the Cubs. They initially saw a stronger Munich team, which was promptly awarded a penalty after just 18 minutes. Landsberg keeper Musa saved it, but he was powerless when professional loanee Muteba made it 1-0 five minutes later.
For the remainder of the game, an open exchange of blows developed, in which, however, the hosts were to keep the better end for themselves. First, Haist equalised with a header from a Mulas corner in the 40th minute, and just five minutes later he set up Bazdrigiannis to make it 2:1 with a precise shot from 16 metres.
In the second half, Landsberg's defence was initially called upon again before the home side were able to exploit two weaknesses in the Löwen goalkeeper's clearance. Mulas then made it 3:1 with a 25-metre lob before Sgodzaj only had to slot home after another misplaced pass to make it 4:1.
'We were able to keep adding to our tally against the league leaders,' summarised coach Alex Schmidt. 'The team put their opponents under pressure and forced them to make mistakes.'

After a bumpy start to the season, TSV Landsberg have now worked their way up to ninth place in the table.

Schmidt can look back on a career as a coach that includes a number of well-known positions. After coaching various youth teams at TSV 1860 Munich for a long time, he was promoted to head coach of the then second division club. He later coached Jahn Regensburg and Dynamo Dresden, also in the 2nd Bundesliga. Most recently, he worked at Austrian Bundesliga club Klagenfurt.
'I wanted to take the step back home and still tackle an ambitious football project,' said the Augsburg native. 'I was convinced of Nico Held and his goals in Landsberg right from the start,' says the 56-year-old. The 'Youth Campus', which was initiated by department head Held and his deputy Muriz Salemovic, is intended to promote talent from the region. 'We can't take any big financial steps, we have to become a training club,' says Held.
However, Schmidt's first priority is to collect the necessary points in the Bayernliga as quickly as possible. 'Sporting success is the top priority so that we can soon find calmer waters,' says department head Held.