World Cup scores | Jalonen saves himself, an Italian-Canadian surprises

You will find out in the first part of the big World Cup report, in which SportNews examines the coach, goalkeepers and defenders.

Trainer Jukka Jalonen 6 His surprising squad decisions sparked controversy even before the World Cup began. While his success proves the Finn right, he still faces criticism. How is it possible that his men acted so carelessly in the most important game against Great Britain? Why did the Azzurri struggle so much on the power play? Why did so much space open up in their own zone? Is it wise not to give a goalie a break? These are questions that Jalonen must answer in the coming months before the Olympic Games take place in his home country.

goalkeeper Damian Clara 6 He joined the team late because he ended his season in the North American AHL. The fact is, the 20-year-old didn't enjoy the confidence of Jukka Jalonen. Clara didn't start a game and played only 40 minutes after coming off the bench with the score at 0-3 against Great Britain. A turbulent season ended with a role as a reserve.

Davide Fadani played a very good World Cup. © Vanna Antonello

Davide Fadani 7 He missed the last two World Cups, but impressively demonstrated in Romania why he made his debut in the top division at the age of 20. While he did score one or two goals, he made crucial saves, especially against Poland. Fadani, who was too often let down by his teammates, finished the World Cup with a 90 percent save percentage, promoted his own cause, and earned many brownie points with Jalonen.

Verteidiger Dylan Di Perna 6 Due to a 2022 suspension, he had to watch the first match against Japan as a spectator and formed a solid pairing with his HC Bolzano teammate Jason Seed. The 29-year-old cleaned up in front of the net, but revealed his usual deficiencies on the puck. More was not to be expected from Di Perna, however. After Daniel Glira, he was the least-used defender in Italy, averaging around 13 minutes per game.

Greg Di Tomaso 7 AlpsHL insiders have known about the right-handed shooter's qualities for years. What he brings to the ice game after game in Cortina, he also demonstrated at his first World Championship. Di Tomaso is a strong player, a goal-scoring threat, an excellent skater, and also knows his way around defense. He was indispensable as a power-play leader and, along with Jason Seed, had the best plus stats of all defensemen (+5). The World Championship has put him on the radar of local ICEHL clubs.

The Italian coaching team at the World Cup with Thomas Tragust, Giorgio De Bettin, Jukka Jalonen, and Stefan Mair. © Vanna Antonello

Daniel Glira 5,5 A regular at the World Cup, after all, these were his sixth international championships. Despite his exemplary efforts, he was unable to replicate the performances he showed at HC Pustertal. He was the only Azzurro player who didn't fire a shot throughout the entire tournament, struggled with his partner Thomas Larkin, and played less than twelve minutes per game. The plus-3 statistic doesn't reflect well on the HC Pustertal defender either.

Thomas Larkin 5 One of the biggest disappointments of this World Cup. The captain seemed sluggish, made unfamiliar mistakes, and even his fearsome physical play barely affected his opponents. Could the illness that sidelined him against Romania be a possible explanation for his mixed performances? One thing is certain: Larkin, a fixture with the Schwenninger Wild Wings in the DEL, was unrecognizable, as his plus-4 statistic underscores.

Phil Pietroniro 7 Unsurprisingly, he was the top-scoring Italian defender with one goal and four assists. He fired 23 shots on goal throughout the tournament—more than any other Azzurro. The 30-year-old was repeatedly sought out by his teammates on the power play and played a major role in the victory against Poland with the goal that made it 2-1. Along with Luca Zanatta, he undoubtedly formed Italy's best defense.

Jason Seed 6,5 After last year's mixed World Cup in Romania, he took a big step forward. He played calmly on defense, focused on the simple things, showcased his skating skills, and made a very solid impression overall. A +5 statistic confirms this. The 33-year-old also performed with confidence offensively. He complemented a player like Dylan Di Perna very well.

Alex Trivellato 6,5 A tireless engine who performed valuable work in all zones and was sent onto the ice by Jalonen in every game situation. He was the defenseman who averaged by far the most minutes—almost 19 per game. He had the tricky task of covering the back when his line partner, Di Tomaso, made daring forays. His charisma and experience made him an indispensable part of the Blue Team.

Luca Zanatta 7,5 He continued his upward trend, which he began with HC Pustertal in the summer, and was named the tournament's best defender. His two (beautiful) goals against Romania and Ukraine certainly played a role. However, it was the overall package that made Zanatta stand out from the crowd. Rock-solid defensively, valuable in the build-up, and consistently involved in the forward play. One of the most positive surprises of the World Cup.

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World Cup scores | Jalonen saves himself, an Italian-Canadian surprises

The Division 1A World Championship in Sfantu Gheorghe, Romania, ended with Italy's national team being promoted. So, it's time to take stock. Who was able to shine for the Azzurri, and who fell short of expectations?

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