Daniel Mantenuto scored twice. © Valentina Gallina/FISG

The Blue Team takes revenge

Within 24 hours, Italy's national ice hockey team met Hungary for the second time. Unlike the first encounter, the Blue Team was able to win this time.

13 December 2024

From: cst

The Bruneck Intercable Arena was also the venue for the duel between Italy and Hungary on Friday evening. The Hungarians had the 1st duel on Thursday, had to concede defeat on Friday in front of around 450 spectators. In the end, double goalscorer Daniel Mantenuto & Co. won 3-0.

HCB substitute goalie Gianluca Vallini shone in goal for the Azzurri, crowning his outstanding performance with a shutout. Vallini saved his team from conceding several goals, especially at the start of the middle third. Former Fehervar defender Bence Szabo and Gergely Mattyasovszky missed the best chances.

Mantenuto in a double pack

Italy, on the other hand, proved to be masters of efficiency. In the second minute, Mantenuto was on hand after a failed Hungarian substitution and scored to make it 2-1. The guests were not shocked, but Italy had the better chances. But because Filippo Rigoni was not cool-headed enough, the narrow lead remained at half-time. In the second period, however, Hungary were clearly better. The goals were scored on the other side. Mikael Frycklund was unlucky when he hit the post, but HCP teammate Tommy Purdeller was there and converted the rebound (0th).

Mantenuto put the finishing touches to the game in the final third. However, a large part of the goal was due to Dustin Gazley. The Bolzano striker made the Hungarian back line look very bad. Mantenuto only had to push his pass into the slot (48th).

For the Blue Team, the international break ends with one win and one loss. Coach Jukka Jalonen and his players will not see each other again until February.

Italy – Hungary 3-0

Italy: Vallini (Smith); Zanatta Seed, Glira Gazzola, Miglioranzi Di Perna, Colli Rigoni; Salinitri-Frycklund-Purdeller, De Luca-Gennaro-Moncada, Deluca-Mantenuto-Gazley, Frank-Kostner-Zanetti, Mantinger.
Coach: Jukka Jalonen

Hungary: Farkas (Balizs); Szabo-Szathmary, Csollak-Horvath D., Horvath M.-Fejes, Seregely-Tornyai; Szalma-Dobos-Molnar, Mihalik-Lovei-Kovacs, Ambrus-Horvath B.-Szita, Farkas-Paterka-Mattyasovszky.
Coach: Gergely Majoross

Gates: 1:0 Mantenuto (1.53), 2:0 Purdeller (27.25), 3:0 Mantenuto (42.11)

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