Jukka Jalonen saw a mixed performance from his team. © FISG / Vanna Antonello

Hungary inflicts first defeat on Jalonen

The Italian national ice hockey team lost its first test match under Jukka Jalonen on Thursday. In Bruneck, Hungary retained the upper hand after a defensive battle in the penalty shootout.

12 December 2024

From the Intercable Arena

Since Jukka Jalonen took over the reins, the Azzurri have emerged victorious in three friendly matches. Tommy Purdeller & Co. have now broken free of their clean sheet, as Hungary won a rather inconclusive friendly match 2:1 on penalties. On Friday, the home team will have a chance for revenge in the Intercable Arena (19.30:XNUMX p.m.).

The first of two duels against the Hungarians began with an early shock for the Blue Team. Csongor Ambrus shot a harmless puck at the goal from a sharp angle, goalie Jake Smith was surprised and the puck rolled over the line. From then on, the approximately 500 fans saw an uneventful third in which the Azzurri created a single big scoring opportunity through Marco Zanetti. However, the Lugano striker was caught by goalkeeper Bence Balizs during his solo run.

Not much going on in Bruneck

In the second half, too, scoring opportunities were in short supply, with both teams playing with the handbrake on. At least the Italian penalty killing worked. On the offensive, however, Jalonen's team managed little to nothing, which was not least due to the motley mix of attacking lines - it was a friendly match, after all.

Tommaso De Luca & Co. narrowly lost. © FISG / Vanna Antonello

Right at the start of the final period, Dustin Gazley was very unlucky when a long-range shot hit the post. The puck stayed on the goal line, but Balizs buried it under his body in time. Italy now noticeably increased the pressure, but at the same time became more vulnerable defensively. Smith was able to distinguish himself against Andras Mihalik, Gergely Mattyasovszky and Donat Szita and thus made up for his mistake from the 0:1. Shortly after these rescues, Italy had their second power play. Balizs let a Salinitri shot bounce off, Tommy Purdeller reacted quickest and scored the long-awaited equalizer.

After that, nothing happened on the scoreboard, so the game went into extra time and then into a penalty shootout. All of the first eight shooters scored - except for Purdeller. The fifth shooter, Filippo Rigoni, had his back against the wall, but the Asiago defender failed to score.

Italy - Hungary 1:2 nP

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

HUN: Bálizs (Farkas); Szabó-Szathmáry, Csollák-Horvath, Horváth-Fejes, Seregély-Tornyai; Szalma-Dobos-Horváth, Mihalik-Lövei-Kovács, Ambrus-Páterka-Szita, Molnár-Farkas-Mattyasovszky.
coach: Majoross

Gates: 0:1 Ambrus (4.24), 1:1 Purdeller (52.13); decisive penalty: Mihalik

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