Donbass takes the lead after victory against Bolzano

12 Jan 2013 | Davide Tuniz

Home team lays hands on Continental Cup

Donbas again doesn't offer a huge victory to its fans, but earns three points, keep the perfect record in the tournament - included the zero to the item "goal against" - and lays hands on the trophy after the Metallurg Zhlobin victory in the afternoon against Rouen. Italian team plays much better then yesterday when was overwhelmed by Rouen. Bolzano, knowing perfectly that Donbas was a better team, organize the game difensively and Czech goalie Tomas Duba was the key player in blocking Ukranian attacks. But the first two goals by Donbas come from naive mistake in Bolzano defense: at 16:31 Denis Kochetkov is brillant in finding line-mate Lukas Kaspar completely alone in front of Duba and at 37:49 the Czech forward give the favour back assisting Kochetov, again with Italian defense imperfectly placed, for an easy 2-0.
Last period continues in same style, Donbas attacking and Bolzano erecting a barricade. Duba finishes his game with 40 saves (just 14 for Jan Laco), but has to collect the third puck in his cage at 56:21 when defender Clay Wilson punishes him after a good move by Evgeny Dadonov for final 3-0
Now Donbas needs just not to take many goals against in event of a defeat against Rouen tomorrow. Just a formality? maybe, but remembering last year incredible finish it's better to take seriously that formality

MVP: Tomas Duba - Clay Wilson