Ice HockeyParalympics 2014
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However it ends, the Italian ice sledge hockey has already passed. The national team has hit the target more desirable and practical to reach before the start of the Paralympic Games in Sochi: improving the seventh place in 2010, the team's best result at the Games. Challenge exceeded. On Friday afternoon we will play the final for fifth place. But to reach this goal, the men's coach Massimo Da Rin had to overcome Sweden 3-2 in overtime. A thrilling performance that the Blues are able to replace two-goal disadvantage in the last 12 minutes, until the decisive shoot and liberating the match winner Gianluca Knight.
Wednesday 12 March 2014 9 minutes reading time
So in two days, the boys know their placing ice Paralympic final fifth or sixth place against the winner between the Czech Republic and Korea (engaged in the evening always Shayba Arena). In any case, there will come a prestigious placement for Italy. Milestone reached at the end of a game that has once again demonstrated the capacity to suffer and know how to recover from situations really complicated. How to unhinge the Swedish castling after more than 20 shots total, slamming systematically against the goalkeeper and defenders Scandinavians.
The game started with a slow first time he knew of waiting for a natural outlet to the superiority of the Italian forces in between attacks and defenses ordered the team to Da Rin. But then the unexpected happens: Sweden and puts us even 13'58'' to get the first shot on goal of their race. But comes the improbable: the first try, go ahead. He thinks for Kasperi. The attacker with the jersey number 8 unlocks a surprise and open the result, using the From and assisted by a breathless coverage of the Italian defense. The 20 year old is in front of the northern exit of Stillitano and the joke after a carom slow disk, it passes between glove, extreme armpit Italian and ends up in the net. It is pointless trying to Leperdi to brush away the puck from the net.
The first period can be summarized as follows. Of the eight shots blue nobody was converted into goals. A leitmotif is clear, it seems clear from that moment the Swedes to cover their shoulders to the excellent goalie Ulf Nilsson and Italian inaccurate when it comes to hitting.
In 15 seconds', the Blues do not seem to have repented from goal disadvantage. In fact, Italy takes five minutes to shoot at goal. Result of a combination Corvino-Leperdi with dangerous shot close to the latter. The blues do not seem to have in hand rivals as before and are exposed to dangerously fly's speed Kasperi (who knows rejected Miracle Stillitano). The game is still controlled by the Italians. So Gianluigi Rosa has a great opportunity in power play (expelled Ingvarsson), but do not exploit it. As it takes the form of a siege blue almost complete, but sterile. Florian Planker is the most dangerous man, but the gloves Nilsson seem to get anywhere and when this does not happen is presented in front of a blue wall of yellow jerseys.
Obstruction of Winkler kicks off the first penalty for killing Chiarotti and companions. During the 2 'numerical disadvantage, Stillitano remove the disc from the door and the pole denying that one 0-2 seemed a done deal. But the most difficult moment arrives shortly thereafter, at 13'54'', and led six seconds later. Knight also ends up out of the game to penalties. In three against five, it is easy to repeat Kasperi immediately, mocking Stillitano with a low shot just 1 'from the end of time. Disc that slips under the slides in front of the door and not allow the goalie blue no reflection effectively.
Under 2-0 and with only 15 'to play, the coach Massimo Da Rin changes the goalkeeper at the beginning of the third Rittel. Gabriele Araudo head ice and immediately sees the Swedish siege to the door and the wall as usual in front of fellow Nilsson. To unlock the match serves a crucial episode. Event that comes thanks to Planker, which causes difficulties in the arrangement between the defender and Ingvarsson Nilsson. The second comes from his area and the blue has a twist to serve Gianluigi Rose, skilful in the meantime to project forward: the door is empty and can only get 2-1 at 12 'from the end.
In power play, Italy has numerous occasions. We test the usual Planker in all ways. First from a distance and then at the end of a reboot. Exceeds, going around, even Nilsson, but hit the post. The forcing is total, but not enough. Ai-2'40'', Da Rin called a timeout and chooses to take six men to move on the ice Macri adding to the forefront. Choice but to pay after just 33 seconds, thanks to a goal by Gregory Leperdi, rapacious and without fear to try and find the door after yet another assault action rejected by the Scandinavian defense. In the final salt Chair Pink, true driver of the team to an incredible victory after the draw. But we will have to wait for the overtime.
They Macri, Planker, Pink and Leperdi the four players chosen to start with four additional men only motion and Sweden profusely tired for the game of pure containment and its few alternatives on the bench. In the 10 'Final Rose just before the doors, dismissing the threat. Crushed in their third defense, the Swedes must capitulate after enduring more than 5 ': Gianluca Cavaliere (with the assist of Planker) the match winner. The defender scored the 3-2 from the floor, after trying to beat the goalkeeper once already. A well-deserved victory and a party that is as good as a placing far greater heights. The Blues have found their medal team, improving Vancouver 2010. Friday 14 to 17 (Italian time), the event will be against the winner of the match between Czech and Korean. Another victory will serve to rejoice again and again to raise the bar of the objectives of the Italian sledge hockey.
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