Nitra tames the lion

The hosts of Nitra win the evening match of the Continental Cup semifinals with a convincing performance against the Italian champions of Asiago, who appeared of a lower level for technique and speed to the Slovaks, but still able to stay in the game until the last thanks to a well-played central period.  In front of a good audience, Nitra begins aggressively, immediately teasing the attentive goalie Vallini. The goal of the advantage came at 05:34 with Ondrej Molnar tapping in the net a rebound of the Italian goalie. Asiago fails to react and is hit twice in a few minutes, first with Samuel Solensky's goal and then with the beautiful goal of Jozef Balaz, who beats Vallini after a wrong pass by Casetti. The Slovak strikers continue to hammer the Italian goal, forcing Vallini to a great job. Asiago broke the siege in the last minutes of the first period, with a couple of shots from mid-range, controlled by O'Connor and an attempt by Mc Shane denied with a good reflex by the American goalkeeper.

A more aggressive Asiago began the middle period finding the first goal of the evening with Bryce Misley ending with a one-timer deflection an assist by Saracino after two minutes. Taking advantage of the good moment, the Italians doubled after just over a minute with a perfect finish by Allan McShane, well served by Salnitri. Nitra suffered the blow, but reacted with an attempt by Buncis blocked by Vallini. At the 32nd great save of Vallini on Molnar. The hosts finally managed to restore the distance at 36:42 when, shorthanded, Jozef Balaz appeared alone in front of Vallini and intelligently waited until the last breath to serve the completely free Adam Sykora who ended up in the open goal.

In the last period Nitra maintains control of the game and Asiago seems to have spent all the energy for the comeback in the central period. The match did not offer many chances until 2 minutes from the end when Reid Duke scored a beautiful goal with a personal action, making all the spectators stand up

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