We must be like a gunshot

After three-week of training camp and five test matches - 2-0 and 3-8 against France, 5-2, 1-2 and 1-2 against Kazakhstan, head coach Rick Cornacchia choose the final roster to take to Stockholm. Twenty-one days of work hadn't disappoint his expectations:

"I am very pleased - says the Italo-Canadian coach -. In the last game with Kazakhstan the team have played well and the result is not important at this moment, now count the patterns of play and how well did the team on the ice. "

Hc Bolzano forward Derek Edwardson is among the players travelling to Sweden: a controversial name, considered by the fans out of shape because of the injury that affected almost all his season, but Cornacchia dissents with it:
RC: "Edwardson is ready:  he worked so hard, it is true it was injured, but he was also in the squad at the last meeting (in February at the Euro Ice Hockey Challenge), during which he trained and has played well in three matches of the tournament. The staff has taken this into account, the Bolzano striker deserved to be here. "

In the list of those excluded there is also the name of Dan Tudin, the wing of the Ritten Sport would help, with his offensive skill, to solve the problem of the goals-scoring affecting the Azzurri team, even if the hopes to see him in at the IHWC aren't totally lost
RC: "We are waiting day after day if he gets a passport - clarifies the coach - and we'll see whether the deadlock has been broken. We can wait until May 2. Tudin deserves to stay in the national team. "

On the way to Stockholm, the Azzurri will stop in Denmark where will play the last preparation match against the host, five days later the Danes will face Italy in the World Championship, the choice of this opponent could be inopportune
RC: "We are living in a technological era with the internet, DVDs and everything else, so there are no secrets and our first opponent Germany, for example, will be able to retrieve the DVD of our match against Kazakhstan. There are patterns that you can hide, it is important to prepare the game as best possible and put into practice all the work prepared. in a World Championship, after the first game all know exactly how a team plays. Denmark is stronger than us, we played with France and Kazakhstan, and we want to improve again, this is important to us. "

This year the World Championship will have a new formula that will lead the players to a new mental approach:
RC: "The situation is similar of last year one:  in Stockholm we want to win at least two games to be sure of stay in Elite Division. The approach to each game must be compared to a Playoffs game 7 of Stanley Cup, in hockey if you think you have no chance of winning, definitely something will happen. Anything can happen in a single game, because hockey is played on ice, not on paper. "

Play for avoid the relegation in the first four matches, with opponents considered affordable, could be an advantage:
RC: "Absolutely. In this way we start the tournament concentrated: in the first game we must be like a gunshot: immediately responsive. The team is in good shape, we have no injuries and we are ready for the friendly against Denmark. Then we will have two days off and will debut at the World Championship against Germany".

Two wins and six points to return to Scandinavia in 2013. Cornacchia however, goes further:
RC: "Winning two games is the minimum we have set, but we also aim to give a surprise."

Italy final roster:
Goalies: Tragust Thomas (Wsv Sterzing Vipiteno), Bernard Andreas (Jukurit-FIN), Bellissimo Daniel (Timra-SWE).
Defenders: Johnson Trevor (Hc Valpellice), Marchetti Stefano (Hc Asiago), De Marchi Matthew (Vik Västerås Hk-SWE), Hofer Roland (Peliitat Heinola-FIN), Plastino Nicholas (Bofors Ik-SWE), Larkin Thomas William (Colgate University – USA), Borgatello Christian (Hc Bolzano), Egger Alexander (Hc Bolzano), Helfer Armin (Hc Valpusteria).
Forwards: Sirianni Robert (Hc Valpellice), Iori Diego (Shc Fassa), Pichler Thomas (Renon), Iannone Patrick (Ice Hockey Aquile Fvg), Felicetti Luca (Shc Fassa), Rocco Vincent (Alleghe Hockey), Fontanive Nicola (Alleghe Hockey), De Toni Manuel (Alleghe Hockey), Ansoldi Luca (Hockey Milano Rossoblu), Scandella Giulio (Hc Valpusteria), Bernard Anton (Hc Bolzano), Insam Marco (Hc Bolzano), Edwardson Derek (Hc Bolzano).

 

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