Everything in its place

The two victorious teams after the first round cross the sticks to open the second day of Continental Cup Superfinals with different feelings: for reigning champion Donbas, the 3-2 after penalties against Stavanger is considered a semi-defeat, while Asiago crushed 6-0 host Rouen and face Ukranians very self-confident even if veteran defender Michele Strazzabosco is cautious: “The Donbas I’ve seen during the train was totally different from that played yesterday, we'll see if they play with the same intensity  or increase the pace. Of course we will try to win, this game is crucial for our ambitions in the tournament” said at Hockeytime.net

At 04.28 Vincenzo Marozzi suffers the first goal, with an evident oversight by Asiago defence: Andrej Nedorost is alone between three defenders, but received unchallenged the pass from behind the net by Yakutsenya and beats the italo-canadian goalie. Same Yakutsenya is the creator of Donbas second goal, during the first power-play: with Paul Zanette serving the penalty, Donbas centre served Oleg Piganovich, his missile from the blue leaves no way to Marozzi. One minute later another defender, American Clay Wilson easily get in Asiago defense and finishes his run beating Marozzi. His colleague Jan Laco has some work during Asiago two power-play situations, deflecting a shot by Di Domenico and blocking a shot from Andrè Signoretti.

Second period begins with same plot: Donbas assaulting the Marozzi’s cage using a higher speed and more precision in the passes, but Asiago seems now less shy and also Laco has to work. Donbas wastes two great chances during Asiago power play, finishing counter-attacks shooting on Marozzi. Asiago goalie is superb blocking a sure hit by Nedorost and even better some minutes after on Yakutsenya shot. The last part of period is a total domination by Donbas, but the fourth goal does not materialize.

In the last period Donbas control the game and the last 20 minutes are quite boring until minute 51.00 when fans can delight in a bravura performance by Evgeny Dadonov: forward get in Asiago defensive zone, shots, Marozzi rebounds and from an impossible angle Dadonov controls the puck and scores. 36 seconds after Signoretti takes a pass from Bentivoglio and notches a deserved consolation goal. At 57:00 captain Ruslan Fedotenko leaves his signature in the game scoring the fifth goal with an accurate shot before a small fight between Wilson and DiDomenico closes the game.

Things are back to normality: Donbas finally show his status of favorite and Asiago could only play the role of sparring partner. Tonight Stavanger has the chance to keep its hope of victory alive beating Rouen: host have to win to face Donbas with some chances in last round

MVP: Vincenzo Marozzi – Jan Laco

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