Six points out of six for Italy

Italy started their second game of the tournament in the same manner as the first. Solid, defensive play coupled with a well organised offensive front. They took the lead in the opening ninety seconds of the contest against Japan, as David Borrelli bagged his second goal in as many games, after a brilliant piece of play by Trevor Johnson, with the defenceman moving the puck up from the point, and putting a precise pass from the left half-boards onto the tape of the Italian forward who tapped it past Yutaka Fukufuji. This was one of twenty shots faced by Fukufuji in the opening twenty minutes, with the former NHL netminder making a number of fantastic shots, including a fine triple save while his team was on the penalty kill half way through the period. Japan, despite being heavily outshot did generate chances, as Aaron Keller rang the post with a fizzing wrist shot nine minutes in, and Go Tanaka also had a chance which Adam Dennis parried away with the blocker. Fukufuji would go on to make one more fine stop in the final minute of the period, making a glove save on Anton Bernard on a rebound opportunity.

Japan looked brighter in the second period, however, this improved play did not seem to show up on the scoreboard. It was simply a case of not getting enough shots on goal for the Japanese side, who only had eleven through two periods. Nine minutes into the second frame, Italy doubled their advantage, as Armin Hofer found the back of the net after a good piece of combination play with Anton Bernard and Christian Borgatello, with the shot going over the shoulder of Fukufuji. Japan were able to kill a penalty almost immediately after that goal, however, Italy would not be denied a third, as Patrick Iannone would light the lamp with a wicked wrist shot that went top corner on the Japanese netminder. Italy certainly weren’t as dominant as they were in the first period, but Japan were still struggling to contain the talent of the group’s top seeds.

The third period was a relatively tepid affair, with Italy holding onto their lead, and Japan trying, but failing to break through the stiff Italy defence. Both teams had powerplay chances in the first half of the period, but they yielded nothing. With four minutes on the board, Italy scored their fourth of the game, with Patrick Iannone securing  his brace after a quick passing play which caught the Japanese off guard. Adam Dennis’ shutout streak would eventually come to an end at a total of 109:07, as Japan finally broke their duck with a shortside shot by Go Tanaka which squeezed between Dennis’ pads and the post, and eventually went across the line. Japan would pile the pressure on after the goal, but a fantastic glove save by Dennis off a rebound chance for Takuro Yamashita would keep Italy’s three goal advantage intact, just before Makoto Kawashima rang a shot from the point off the post. Japan were given 90 seconds of 5 on 3 powerplay time with five and a half minutes left on the clock, but they failed to make good on this opportunity, with Dennis making two fine pad stops. Japan outshot Italy 12:2 in the final period, but failed to make any further inroads and Italy took their second victory in as many games to sit atop of Division 1A at this early stage.

With two wins on the board, Italian netminder Adam Dennis commented, ‘The team’s been playing well in front of me, and most importantly we have two wins’.

We’re going to celebrate the win for the next 20 mins to an hour and then we’ll see what the coach has in store for video, and we’ll prepare for them [Great Britain, Italy’s  opponents on Wednesday] individually. I think they’re going to play a bit rougher of a game, more similar to our style, and it should be a good one’.

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