Continental Cup Semifinals Day 1 Recap

Zilina, Slovakia and Aalborg, Denmark host the semifinals group of Continental Cup

In the Group E, played in Slovakia, host Zilina and Welsh Cardiff Devils win their opening games

Cardiff Devils dominate Rittner Buam in Continental Cup Semifinal opener

Cardiff Devils - Rittner Buam 5-1

The Cardiff Devils displayed impressive intensity and technical prowess, securing a decisive 5-1 victory over the Italian side Rittner Buam in the first game of the Continental Cup semifinals in Žilina, Slovakia. Cardiff, last season's Superfinal hosts, are determined to return to the competition's final stage, while Rittner Buam entered the semifinals as underdogs, having advanced with a strong showing on home ice in Round 2.

The Welsh team’s dominance was evident from the outset. In the opening period, they capitalized on their superior skill to establish a two-goal lead. Both goals came from central positions in the Rittner defensive zone, with Gleason Fournier scoring the first at 08:02, assisted by Joey Martin and Evan Mosey. Moments later, Josh MacDonald doubled the advantage at 08:35, with Martin again providing a crucial assist.

Rittner Buam briefly reignited their hopes early in the second period when Canadian forward Ethan Szypula netted a goal at 29:40, assisted by Alan Lobis. However, a costly too-many-men penalty against the Italians midway through the period shifted momentum back to Cardiff. Reid Duke capitalized on the power play at 33:18, assisted by Fournier and goaltender Mac Carruth, restoring the two-goal cushion. The Devils extended their lead to 4-1 when Cody Donaghey scored from long range at 37:40, assisted by Tyler Busch and Brett Perlini.

In the final period, Cardiff’s Joey Martin sealed the game with a goal at 45:22, capping off his three-point night and sparking celebrations among the 220 fans in attendance, many of whom were loyal Devils supporters.
Cardiff's disciplined performance, effective power play, and strong defensive effort, led by a combined goaltending performance from Bowns and Carruth, left Rittner Buam struggling to find answers. The Devils’ relentless offense and the Italians’ inability to capitalize on key opportunities solidified Cardiff's position as strong contenders for the tournament’s final act.

Vlci Žilina edges out Arlan Kokshetau in Continental Cup thriller

Arlan Kokshetau - Vlci Zilina 3-4 ot

After an eleven-day break, Vlci Žilina returned to competitive action in style, debuting their striking new black jerseys. The Slovakian team faced the reigning Kazakh champions, Arlan Kokšetau, in the opening game of the semi-final Group E of the Continental Cup. The match proved to be a nail-biter, with Žilina securing a dramatic 4–3 victory in overtime, thanks to captain Daniel Gachulinec's decisive goal.

Žilina started strongly, capitalizing on early mistakes by their opponents. Jozef Baláž put them on the scoreboard just 3:11 into the game, following a well-placed pass from Sebastian Smida and Kirill Dyakov. Shortly after, Hunter Fejes extended the lead to 2–0 with a power-play goal at 7:07. However, the team's momentum slowed, allowing Arlan Kokšetau to claw back into the game.
Danil Paramonov halved the deficit for the Kazakh side late in the first period, and Eduard Mikhailov leveled the score early in the second, taking advantage of a power play. Žilina responded quickly as Miroslav Mucha restored their lead at 22:48, but a series of missed opportunities, including a fruitless five-minute power play, kept the game within reach for the opposition.
In the dying moments of regulation, Fyodor Khoroshev capitalized on a short-handed opportunity, bringing the score to 3–3 and forcing overtime.
Overtime saw Žilina's captain, Daniel Gachulinec, rise to the occasion. Assisted by Kamil Walęga and Hunter Fejes, Gachulinec netted the game-winner at 62:27, securing a vital two points for his team in the tournament standings.
With two points secured, Vlci Žilina sits in a promising position but will need to maintain focus for their upcoming game against the Cardiff Devils. The Slovakian side has shown they can handle pressure, but consistency will be key as they aim for a spot in the tournament's final stages.

Group F

GKS Katowice Dominates Corona Brasov with a Decisive 9–2 Victory

GKS Katowice - Corona Brasov 9-2

The third round of the Continental Cup kicked off in spectacular fashion as GKS Katowice delivered a resounding 9–2 victory over CSM Corona Brasov. The match, hosted in front of 475 fans, showcased the Polish vice-champions' superior form and offensive firepower, with Jean Dupuy earning the title of Man of the Match for his two goals and an assist.
Katowice wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Christian Mroczkowski scoring just 70 seconds into the game after a precise assist from Jean Dupuy. Despite a brief equalizer from Balasz Gajdo of Corona Brasov in the 8th minute, Katowice quickly regained control. Dupuy found the net again in the 18th minute, capitalizing on a mistake by the Romanian goalie, Zoltán Tőke.

By the end of the first period, Katowice had outshot their opponents 20–8, signaling their intent to control the game.

The second period saw Katowice increase their lead with clinical efficiency. Santeri Koponen scored early in the period, followed by a power-play goal from Grzegorz Pasiut, who took advantage of Corona’s defensive struggles. Although Jared Van Wormer managed a power-play goal for Corona in the 33rd minute, Katowice responded with a brilliant play by Bartosz Fraszko to close the period at 5–2.
John Murray, Katowice's goaltender, showcased solid form throughout the game, stopping 89.47% of the shots he faced.
In the third period, Katowice’s offensive onslaught continued. Dupuy added another goal in the 42nd minute, bringing his tally for the game to two. Travis Verveda, Patryk Wronka, and Stephen Anderson added to the scoreline in the closing stages, with Wronka contributing a game-high three assists as well.

By the final whistle, Katowice had fired 51 shots on goal compared to Corona Brasov's 19, demonstrating their overwhelming dominance across all periods.
For Corona Brasov, Jared Van Wormer and Balasz Gajdo managed the only goals, with Evgeny Skachkov earning their team’s Man of the Match designation for his efforts, despite a challenging night.
With this commanding win, GKS Katowice sends a clear message to their Continental Cup rivals. Their ability to capitalize on power plays and maintain relentless pressure on their opponents will make them a formidable contender in the tournament. Conversely, Corona Brasov will need to regroup and address their defensive lapses if they hope to stay competitive.

A Thrilling Comeback as Aalborg Pirates Overcome Grenoble

Aalborg Pirates - Grenoble 5-3

The Aalborg Pirates opened their 2024 Continental Cup campaign in dramatic fashion, turning a disastrous start into a triumphant 5-3 victory against Grenoble Brûleurs de Loups. Playing at the Gigantium, the Danish side showcased resilience and skill, much to the delight of 2,187 fans in attendance.  
A mere 58 seconds into the game, Christophe Boivin capitalized on a defensive error by the Pirates, giving Grenoble a 1-0 lead. The French team controlled much of the period, dominating puck possession and taking advantage of Aalborg’s inability to establish momentum during power plays.  

Late in the period, the Pirates committed back-to-back penalties, and Grenoble made them pay with Alexandre Mallet doubling the lead at 19:28. The Pirates ended the period down 2-0, with a mountain to climb.  
The Pirates emerged from the intermission with renewed energy, surprising Grenoble with a relentless offensive push. At 26:04, Darian Gotz brought Aalborg back into the game, converting a well-orchestrated play from Jonas Brøndberg. Only 16 seconds later, Brøndberg turned scorer, equalizing the game at 2-2 with an assist from Troy Lajeunesse. The Pirates continued to dominate, creating numerous scoring chances. The French team struggled to contain Aalborg’s intensity, and their frustration culminated in a power play goal for the Pirates. Lajeunesse found the net at 39:55, capping a sensational turnaround to give the home side a 3-2 lead heading into the final period.  

With the momentum firmly on their side, the Pirates maintained control in the early stages of the third period. Although Grenoble had a few opportunities, goalie George Sørensen stood tall, stopping 36 shots throughout the match with an impressive save percentage of 91.67%.  
Aalborg extended their lead to 4-2 at 56:55 when Tor Ulrik Bolther Rasmussen finished a fast break. However, Grenoble kept the game alive with a late goal by Nicolas Deschamps at 57:05, reducing the deficit to one.  

In a final push, Grenoble pulled their goalie, but Aalborg’s Jonas Jakobsen sealed the victory with an empty-net goal at 57:29, making it 5-3. 
The Pirates’ ability to adapt and execute after a poor start set the tone for what promises to be an exciting Continental Cup tournament. They will look to build on this performance as they face their next challenge against Polish champions Katowice. 

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