Giftopoulos had equalized the lead scored by Frei but the Vicentini put the arrow in the third drittel
Luca De Michiel / ASIAGO
Race 1 of the quarter-finals smiles at Asiago. So much balance, so many emotions, but the Italian champions win. At the Odegar the Vicenza winners 2-1 and take the lead in the series to the best of 5 races.
To Frei’s goal in the first drittel, Giftopoulos responds in the second half, but at 50 ‘Miglioranzi with a fine goal gives success to his team.
For game 1 coach Machacka has to do without Luca Zanatta. The line up is therefore that of the latest releases, with De Filippo in goal and a first line formed by Cordiano, Phil Pietroniro, Giftopoulos, Cazzola and Chad Pietroniro.
The guests start immediately strong, with the pressing that leads to the first penalty in favor of Asiago. An opportunity to exploit for the Cortina, which tries above all with Giftopoulos, but Vallini is loud and defends his goal in the best possible way.
On the other hand, the Ampezzani sinning out of the third, committing several mistakes and allowing the hosts to take the field. In the 7th minute, the people from Vicenza take the lead, making the most of a powerplay. The host defense opens, Rosa serves Frei who only in the center blocks easily.
The Hafro is in difficulty and is still forced to defend itself in inferiority, risking but not suffering the second goal. Great performance of the celestial whites in the central fraction.
Machacka’s boys return to the ice determined and create several headaches for a concentrated Vallini. At 23 ‘comes, however, the well-deserved draw. Cazzola launches Giftopoulos on the counterattack. The Greek Canadian adjusts the puck with his hand and only against the goalkeeper inflates the net.
Cortina, on the wings of enthusiasm, goes close to scoring several times and puts continuous pressure on the yellow-red defense. The match, now more than ever, is spectacular and on the edge of balance. In the third drittel, he starts as the Hafro had finished, giving him a few opportunities with the usual mistakes in disengagement. One of these happens to Frei who fortunately hits the outside pole.
Shortly thereafter, McParland also touches the net. Asiago’s goal, which was in the air, thus arrives 10 ‘from the end with a missile from the distance of Miglioranzi, who hits the intersection. Giftopoulos tries to answer immediately, but for him there is only the illusion of a draw. Machacka calls the time out and removes De Filippo, playing the last minutes with the extra man.
The Ampezzo players try, but the referees see a high stick from Giftopoulos and send it to the penalty box. The hosts control the game and at the siren cheer for the first major victory in the quarter-final series.
Game 2 of the series is scheduled for Tuesday at 8 pm at the Olimpico, with Cortina ready to settle the score immediately. –
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