Asiago get its claws out

Asiago redeems itself from last night's defeat against Nitra and returns to the race for qualification for the Superfinals complicating the life of Unia Oswiecim, now forced to victory in the complicated game against the hosts

In the first period Unia gradually took control of the game, after a more balanced start, and took the lead at 11:57 in the second consecutive power play with Pavlo Padakin, here without much opposition from the Italian defense. Asiago reacted vehemently, creating 2 chances with Salnitri and Saracino, both denied by Lindskoug. Two minutes from the first siren a resounding misunderstanding between Lindskoug and Patryk Noworyta gives the puck to Saracino who assists in front of the empty goal Allan McShane for the Asiago draw.

After two minutes in the second period Asiago takes the lead with Nicholas Saracino, quick to correct a shot from distance. The Polish team reacts, but Asiago maintains control well and protects the goalie Fazio who stays unharmed. Also comes the third Italian goal, scored by Bryce Misley tapping a Lindskoug rebounds into the net. Unia ended the period on the attack, but produced only a couple of dangerous shots, well neutralized by Fazio.

The last period opens with a Unia goal not validated by the referees after a long review. The long break breaks the rhythm of the Poles, but again after a mistake, this time in attack, they suffer the fourth goal of Asiago, scored with a personal action by Luke Moncada. In the 51st minute Asiago breaks the siege of the Poles with a quick counterattack with Gios missing the final shot. After another chance for the Italians, Unia finally found the second goal with a one-timer by Da Costa with Fazio inaccurate in the circumstance. With three minutes to go, in the power play Tommi Laakso has a great opportunity but shoots on Fazio. The third goal came 16 seconds from the end with a fine deflection under the crossbar by Krystian Dzubinski, too late to complete the comeback.

Tweets by @eurohockey