1SV 4:1 1IT | Slovakia2 - Italy veterans (World Championship)

World Championship

France2 – Norway	5:4 (2:1 after SO)	\|	Latvia – Russia	1:4 (end)	\|	Denmark – Czech Republic	4:3 (1:0 after SO)
Belarus – Germany2	5:2 (end)	\|	Slovakia2 – Italy veterans	4:1 (end)	\|	Switzerland – Kazakhstan	6:2 (end)

final

Slovakia2

4:1 (1:0, 2:1, 1:0)

Italy veterans

Saturday 17.05.2014, 19:45 • Chizhovka Arena, Minsk • World Championship

		There's the final buzzer, and Slovakia have claimed their second win of the tournament with an emphatic 4-1 triumph over Italy! They were by far the better side and thoroughly deserve the three points. Marek Daloga, Marek Viedensky, Tomas Tatar and Michel Miklik all got on the scoreboard for the Slovakians with only Alexander Egger replying for the Italians. Thanks for following our coverage with us today, and see you again soon for more thrilling action from the 2014 IIHF World Championships! (21:59:54)
	60:00	Game over.
	59:51	We're now into the final seconds of the match with Slovakia heading for a very important victory to keep their qualification hopes alive!
	59:01	Laco! What a simply stunning save from Jan Laco! A hard wrister from the high slot is deflected deftly right in front of Jan Laco, but he flashes leather beautifully! Wow!
	58:35	And the Italians have taken a timeout, this is an ideal opportunity to at least get a goal for pride! And Daniel Bellisimo has been pulled for the extra skater!
	58:35	Tomas Tatar for roughing has picked up another penalty against the Slovaks!
	58:01	Scandella! A slick move sees Giulio Scandella picked out free at the right hand post, but on the goal line Jan Laco and his defenders somehow manage to keep it out!
	57:41	Diego Kostner with bodies closing him down cutting into the crease wrists from a tight angle, and Jan Laco comfortably takes it in stick side
	57:06	Karol Sloboda for hooking has now been called as Slovakia do start to get into penalty trouble with time running down
	54:52	Despite that penalty miss the Slovaks are already back to full strength
	54:40	Tomas Tatar skates in, waits for the goalkeeper to commit but he takes too long shooting and he can't get the puck out from under his stick! We play on at 4-1!
	54:40	Tomas Tatar is chopped down as he was racing away one on one shorthanded and it's a penalty shot!
	52:52	Andrej Stastny for hooking has been called giving the Italians a powerplay to give themselves a bit of confidence
	52:41	Diego Kostner skating with conviction down the right looks to pick out a teammate racing in down the middle, but he over cooks his pass!
	52:03	Slovakia look to be seeing the game out reasonably comfortably now, although it didn't turn out to be such an easy game as it appeared it would have been
	50:47	Nicoletti! Italy manage to keep the puck deep in the Slovakian zone, it eventually pops out to Davide Nicoletti who's blast from the right faceoff circle is blocked heroically by a covering defender! Despite the score you can bet that Italy won't give up!
	48:07	Goal for Team Slovakia! And they do make the five on three count! A real goalmouth scramble erupts on the Italian crease and at the third attempt MICHEL MIKLIK stuffs it into the net! Powerplay goal and it's 4-1! Assists- Tomas Tatar and Miroslav Satan
	47:04	Slovakia are now back to full strength and have a five on three for themselves! They have to take advantage of this!
	46:53	It's yet another penalty! Daniel Sullivan for tripping is now the guilty party and again it's against Italy
	46:34	Alexander Egger for interference has now been sent into the penalty box just after the Italians initially got back to full strength
	46:03	Marcinko! Speeding on to the crease at real pace Tomas Marcinko smashes into the goaltender with the puck! Daniel Bellisimo did well to not let it pass under him!
	45:04	Marek Marincin however has evened up the numbers for hooking
	43:42	Brian Ihnacak for holding though has given the Slovaks a powerplay to try and move out of sight
	43:10	Scandella! The Slovak defence goes AWOL as Giulio Scandella streaks through on the left flank, but he takes too long waiting to shoot! Jan Laco looked a bit suspect there as well!
	42:23	It's a quiet start to the period from both sides, Italy want to bide their time before throwing the kitchen sink at their opponents
	40:10	The third and deciding period is underway! And Giulio Scandella completely takes out Marek Daloga! The Slovak is in considerable pain, but the referee saw nothing illegal in that play!
	40:01	Start of 3rd period.
		Statistics after the first two periods- Shots on target- 40-11 Saves made by the goalkeeper- 10-37 Penalty minutes- 6-4
	40:00	2nd period finished.
	39:51	The third period is set up to be a real thriller as the second stanza is now drawing to a close
	39:29	Daloga! Right there he could have had his second of the evening! Yet again it's a two on one breakaway for the Slovaks, Marek Daloga on the left goes for the near post but Daniel Bellisimo positions himself well to freeze!
	38:41	Goal for Team Italy! It's a rather unlikely goal but it's a goal that does give the Italians hope! ALEXANDER EGGER winds up on the left faceoff circle, and it travels through a number of bodies and into the far corner! It's 3-1! Assists- Vincent Rocco
	38:08	Borrelli! David Borrelli picking up the bouncing puck at the high slot wrists not too far over the left hand corner! That would have caused Jan Laco some trouble!
	36:47	Slovakia are playing with a real confidence again, their puck movement has been on a really high level so far tonight
	34:19	Goal for Team Slovakia! That should make their victory safe surely! As the puck comes in from a tight angle on the right TOMAS TATAR gets his stick on it to sneak it past Daniel Bellisimo! It's 3-0! Assists- Michel Miklik
	34:01	Nagy! Ladislav Nagy with only one defender to beat shows a tricky move, cuts really sharply to the left but he made the angle too tight for himself!
	32:28	Marcel Hascak looks in real trouble! Daniel Bellisimo's stick accidentally clobbered him in the face, that looked painful! And he's skating off the ice for extra treatment
	31:19	Slovakia have survived that scare and they're back at full strength
	30:37	Borrelli! Finally the Italians have a real serious chance to score! The puck pops out to David Borrelli, Jan Laco looks already out of the picture but he comes up with a magical save! You don't get many chances better than that!
	30:01	Giulio Scandella lurking on the slot waits for any scraps but Jan Laco kicks away a sharp slapper from the blue line!
	29:19	Slovakia weren't at full strength for long however. Marcel Hascak for holding has now been called
	28:09	And Slovakia are now back at full strength having done most of the attacking during that penalty themselves
	28:09	Miklik! Michel Miklik twisting and turning inside of his defender breaking down center ice pulls out to the left, but wrists wide of the net!
	27:01	Miroslav Satan strips his defender of the puck to the right of the slot, from a tight angle straight away takes on the shot himself but misses the net by a long distance!
	26:07	Tomas Marcinko for tripping out of nothing has given the Italians a powerplay to try and change the momentum of the game
	25:31	Two on one now for the Slovaks down the left flank, but the Slovak forward doesn't know whether to pass or to shoot himself and it comes to nothing!
	25:01	That second goal will most certainly take away Slovakia's nerves, it gives them that bit of security that they need
	23:05	Goal for Team Slovakia! They've wasted so many chances already, the second goal was always on the cards! MAREK VIEDENSKY just gets his stick on a long dump into the crease to poke it over the line! It's 2-0! Assists- Marek Daloga and Martin Reway
	22:02	Jan Laco has to make his first serious save of the night as the Italians rushed away two on one down the right, but the Slovakian easily padded the eventual effort wide!
	21:30	The second period is underway! Slovakia were so dominant in the first period you have to think that things will change a bit for Italy now
	20:01	Start of 2nd period.
		Statistics after the opening period of play- Shots on target- 22-3 Saves made by the goalkeeper- 3-21 Penalty minutes- 2-4
	20:00	1st period finished.
	19:49	Richard Panik is snaffling around for the puck as it bobbles around the crease, but Daniel Bellisimo with a bit of help just about clears the danger! And there are now only a few seconds left in the first period
	19:10	All of a sudden Slovakia have a three on one, but the pass from Marek Hrivik to the right hand post is just too long for his teammates!
	18:21	And both teams are now playing at full strength
	17:49	Just as Slovakia get back to full strength Italy finally create something, as a dangerous looking pass across the slot from the left is shepherded out by Jan Laco and his defenders!
	16:21	And Brian Ihnacak for elbowing just after that has already now evened up the numbers
	16:16	Tatar! Italy cough up the puck to Tomas Tatar, stripping his opponent he skates through with pace one on one but Daniel Bellisimo makes a wonderful save to deny him! He looked sure to score!
	15:47	Marek Viedensky for tripping has been called giving Italy a powerplay chance to get some shots in on net
	15:12	Martin Reway breaks down the center of the Italian defence, but he's barged out wide before he can take aim
	14:18	Icing is now committed by the Slovaks. Even though they've already found the back of the net, they need to keep the pressure on. A one goal lead is never comfortable
	13:21	Italy do at least keep the puck in the Slovakian zone for a few seconds, but the Slovaks hack it clear promptly
	11:09	Now as the Italian defence loses its bearings, Daniel Bellisimo makes a solid save stick side as an opponent from close range had almost the whole net to aim it! Italy just cannot get into the game
	10:08	Goal for Team Slovakia! It's been coming somewhat! A wonderful flowing team move is finished off by MAREK DALOGA who slides the puck home at the left hand post feeding off an excellent pass! It's 1-0! Assists- Karol Sloboda
	09:30	Italy commit two icings in very quick succession. They just simply cannot get out of their own zone! Slovakia are pressing them brilliantly!
	09:01	Svarny! The Slovaks keep the puck in the Italian zone really well, Ivan Svarny bearing down on the high slot slaps as hard as he can but the netminder stick side clings on!
	07:32	Marcinko! Free speeding down the right flank Tomas Marcinko looks for the near post, but the netminder gets something on it to deflect it out of play!
	06:44	Italy defended solidly on the penalty kill and they're back at full strength. At one moment though Miroslav Satan batted away at the puck almost on the goal line, and somehow it stayed out!
	06:33	Miklik now attempts a heavy slapper from the point but Daniel Bellisimo manages to push it wide into the boards!
	05:05	Michel Miklik with traffic in front of him gets away a low effort from the right faceoff circle, but the goalkeeper fields it well
	04:44	David Borrelli for tripping has received the first penalty of the evening against Italy
	03:30	The puck is rolled directly across the Italian crease from the right hand post but no one is there to make contact! The netminder would have struggled!
	03:13	Italy drift offside. Slovakia have started brightly with their opponents yet to have a shot at all
	02:31	Marcinko! Tomas Marcinko is set up right between the circles, but Daniel Bellisimo's pads are equal to his effort! And from the rebound the netminder has to spread his legs acrobatically out!
	00:56	Italy commit the first icing as the Slovaks look to take the early initiative
	00:37	This vital encounter is go! Slovakia really need a win to get themselves back in the mix
	00:01	Game started.
		Both teams are out on to the ice and we're ready for the opening faceoff!
		Starting lineups: Slovakia: Laco (Hudacek)- Daloga, Sloboda, Hrivik, Nagy, Satan- Valach, Svarny, Mikus, Tatar, Miklik- Marincin, Mihalik, Panik, Marcinko, Hascak- Ceresnak, Viedensky, Stastny, Skokan, Reway Italy: Bellisimo (Bernard)- Borgatello, Egger, Scandella, Di Casmirro, Kostner- Larkin, Nicoletti, Borrelli, Rocco, Ihnacak- Sullivan, Johnson, Tudin, Gander, Fontanive- Hofer, Insam, Felicetti, Bernard, Bona Referees: Bulanov, Nord, Piechaczek, Hull, Puolakka, Semjonov.
		Slovakia have been the real disappointment of the tournament so far, winning only the one game against Norway 5-2, and losing to the Czechs 3-2, Canada 4-1, France 5-3 and to Sweden 3-1. Italy always have more modest expectations but they have already won once, against France 2-1, while losing to Norway 3-0, to Denmark 4-1, to the Czech Republic 2-0 and to Canada 6-1.
		This is how Group A looks like before this game gets started. 1. SWE W5 L0 GS 14 GA 6 PTS 14 2. CAN W4 L1 GS 22 GA 9 PTS 13 3. FRA W3 L2 GS 15 GA 13 PTS 7 4. CZE W2 L3 GS 14 GA 14 PTS 7 5. NOR W2 L3 GS 14 GA 15 PTS 7 6. DEN W2 L3 GS 12 GA 17 PTS 5 7. SVK W1 L4 GS 12 GA 17 PTS 4 8. ITA W1 L4 GS 4 GA 16 PTS 3
		Slovakia are always assumed to be one of ice hockey's real powerhouses, but they have flattered to deceive at this tournament so far. Italy are much more of a modest outfit, but they can cause problems for anyone.
		Good evening and welcome to this 2014 IIHF World Championship Group A match between Slovakia and Italy. Both sides are teetering on the brink of elimination, and only a win will do.
		Welcome. Game starts at 19:45.

Commentary by

Shaun Nicolaides

Goals & lineups Match log

Goals and assists: 11. Daloga (Sloboda), 24. Viedensky (Daloga, Reway), 35. Tatar (Miklik), 49. Miklik (Tatar, Satan) – 39. Egger (Rocco)

Slovakia2: Laco (Hudacek)- Daloga, Sloboda, Hrivik, Nagy, Satan- Valach, Svarny, Mikus, Tatar, Miklik- Marincin, Mihalik, Panik, Marcinko, Hascak- Ceresnak, Viedensky, Stastny, Skokan, Reway

Italy veterans: Bellisimo (Bernard)- Borgatello, Egger, Scandella, Di Casmirro, Kostner- Larkin, Nicoletti, Borrelli, Rocco, Ihnacak- Sullivan, Johnson, Tudin, Gander, Fontanive- Hofer, Insam, Felicetti, Bernard, Bona

Referees: Bulanov, Nord, Piechaczek, Hull, Puolakka, Semjonov

1st period
	04:44
	10:08
	15:47
	16:21
1st intermission
2nd period
	23:05
	26:07
	34:19
	38:41
2nd intermission
3rd period
	43:42
	45:04
	46:34
	46:53
	48:07
	52:52
	57:06
	58:35
Final