Italy shocks the world champion, but then goes swimming

Less than 24 hours after that honorable defeat against Switzerland The Azzurri once again faced an absolute top team in the “Ice Hall” in Helsinki, the reigning title holders Canada. The Maple Leafs, staffed entirely by NHL players, won 6-1. However, the Blue Team made for a memorable starting third.

The number one relegation candidate took a 13-1 lead against the world champions in the 0th minute. Phil Pietroniro caused incredulous looks from the spectators with a shot into the corner. It was the reward for a strong starting third from the Azzurri, who bravely stood in the way of Winnipeg superstar Pierre-Luc Dubois and his teammates, blocked countless shots and didn't even shy away from hard physical contact.

However, it wasn't enough for Italy to take the lead at the break for the first time at this World Cup. Travis Sanheim equalized before the first siren to make it 1-1 before Canada moved ahead to 4-1 after the break. It was only in the final third that the world champion allowed Ireland's protégés to play again - but there was no longer any possibility of a surprise. <a data-fancybox="gallery-test" class="spn-fancybox uk-inline first" href="https://s3-images.sportnews.bz/_images/scale/1400x800/img/2022/05/phil-pietroniro-l-brachte-italien-mit-10-in-fuehrung-brandon-mcnally-r-war-der-erste-gratulant.jpg" data-caption="Phil Pietroniro (l.) brachte Italien mit 1:0 in Führung. Brandon McNally (r.) war der erste Gratulant. © APA/afp / ANTTI AIMO-KOIVISTO" data-type="image"> <a data-fancybox="gallery-test" class="spn-fancybox uk-inline first" href="https://s3-images.sportnews.bz/_images/scale/1400x800/img/2022/05/adam-lowry-l-gratuliert-travis-sanheim-r-zum-11-ausgleichstreffer-danach-lief-es-fuer-die-ahornblaetter-deutlich-besser.jpg" data-caption="Adam Lowry (l.) gratuliert Travis Sanheim (r.) zum 1:1-Ausgleichstreffer. Danach lief es für die Ahornblätter deutlich besser. © APA/afp / ANTTI AIMO-KOIVISTO" data-type="image">

Short & sweet: The highlights of the game Eye rubbing in Helsinki The underdog takes the lead! McNally passes it beautifully to Pietroniro, who gives Canadian goalie Driedger no chance with a shot into the corner (13th). A hit that is not undeserved! Almost 2-0 Canada carelessly gives away the puck in their own zone, Frigo sees Hannoun, who is completely free in front of the goal, but he gets stuck to Driedger (15th). Break management messed up Sanheim hits a shot into the net to make it 1-1 (16th). Justin Fazio didn't cut the best figure with a clear view, but the Italian goalie made several spectacular saves afterwards. Canada is serious After the break, the maple leaves partially dismantled the Azzurri: Anderson deflected a shot unstoppable to make it 1-2 (29th), Roy scored after great work from Canada's superstar Dubois (36th), and exceptional talent Kent Johnson completed a dream combination to make it 4-1 (38.). lid on it In the final third, Canada allows Italy a little more. The Azzurri are no longer granted any goals, but Mayo with a goal (43') and Gregor after a nice solo (55') push the result even higher. You can read the entire game here.

After the exhausting duels against Switzerland and Canada, Daniel Frank & Co. can enjoy their first day without playing at this World Cup on Monday. After an ice training session in the morning, it's time to fill up the strength reserves before slipping into the outsider role again on Tuesday (15.20:XNUMX p.m., CEST) against Denmark. Italy – Canada 1:6 (1:1, 0:3, 0:2) Italy: Fazio (Fadani); Miglioranzi-Pietroniro, Spornberger-Di Perna, Glira-Gios, Casetti; Sanna-Simon Kostner-Petan, Frank-Mantenuto-Magnabosco, McNally-Hannoun-Frigo, Deluca-Diego Kostner-Traversa, Insam Coach: Ireland

Canada: Driedger (Thompson); Chabot-Whitecloud, Sanheim-Severson, Holden-Mayo, Graves; Cozens-Dubois-Roy, Sillinger-Lowry-Anderson, Johnson-Barzal-Batherson, Gregor-Mercer-Comtois, Geekie Coach: Julien

Gates: 1:0 Phil Pietroniro (12.57), 1:1 Travis Sanheim (15.50), 1:2 Josh Anderson (28.15), 1:3 Nicolas Roy (35.14), 1:4 Kent Johnson (37.30), 1:5 Dysin Mayo (42.49), 1:6 Noah Gregor (54.54)

Viewers: 2616 The Group A table: Pos Team Games Points 1. Canada 2 6 2. Denmark 1 3 3. Switzerland 1 3 4. Germany 2 3 5. Slovakia 2 3 6. France 2 3 7. Italy 2 0 8. Kazakhstan 2 0

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Italy shocks the world champion, but then goes swimming

Italy's national ice hockey team ended the amazing weekend at the start of the World Cup in Finland with their second defeat. However, world champion Canada will probably remember the duel with the blatant outsider for a while.

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