 Whoever loses the second round is relegated to Oberliga.The 2018 edition would have seen Bayreuth Tigers relegated to Oberliga after losing their first round series 3-4 against Lausitzer Füchse before losing in five matches against Tölzer Löwen in the second round.However the Tigers were saved from relegation due to SC Riessersee not being granted a DEL2 licence in the summer of 2018.