Setback for Damian, Clara and the Ducks

The Vegas Golden Knights started their quarterfinal series against Anaheim with a hard-fought victory. Despite periods of dominance by the Ducks, Vegas prevailed 3-1 in Game 1 and now leads the series. Among the players was South Tyrol's ice hockey star, Damian Clara.

05 May 2026

From: fop

The Vegas Golden Knights have amassed more playoff wins than any other team since entering the NHL in the 2017-18 season. Their victory over the Anaheim Ducks in Game 1 of the second round brought their playoff record to 67, surpassing Tampa Bay's total.

Anaheim got off to a better start and created several good scoring opportunities early on, but were repeatedly thwarted by Vegas goalie Carter Hart. Instead, the Golden Knights took the lead through Brett Howden. The Ducks responded later with an equalizer from Mikael Granlund and kept the game close for a long time.

Clara in Las Vegas up close

The decisive moment came in the third period: Ivan Barbashev scored to put Vegas back in the lead – a goal preceded by a controversial play, as Anaheim had appealed for a possible icing call. Late in the game, Mitch Marner sealed the victory with an empty-net goal.

Italy's goalkeeping prodigy Damian Clara made the trip to the Nevada desert and was once again one of four goalies in the Ducks' lineup, although he attended the quarter-final opener as a spectator in the stands. Prior to the match, the Reischach player had caused a stir with a training video.