Two Spornberger hits lead Italy to victory

The fans in the Sparkasse Arena in Bolzano saw on Thursday an extremely tactical, unspectacular game between Italy and Slovenia. The next day, the Azzurri and Hungary had an open exchange of blows in which one player became the match winner: Peter Spornberger. Rittner from the DEL club Schwenningen scored twice and played a major role in the 3-0 win. Thanks to this, the Azzurri can continue to dream of winning the tournament. However, Slovenia cannot win against Hungary on Saturday, while Italy has to defeat outsiders South Korea (17.30 p.m.).

Coach Mike Keenan changed compared to the Slovenia game. Sebastiano Soracreppa, Matthias Mantinger, Davide Schiavone and Leonardo Felicetti joined the lineup. In addition, goalkeeper Gianluca Vallini was preferred over Andreas Bernard. Damian Clara will probably play in the final game on Saturday. The changes did not erase the harmony the Azzurri had displayed 24 hours earlier. They once again stood out for their great running ability, imaginative offensive play and defensive compactness. And this time they rewarded themselves for their courageous performance with two goals from Peter Spornberger.

Alongside the 24-year-old, Vallini played his way into the spotlight: The Asiago goalie surpassed himself several times in front of only 252 spectators, shone with his usual strong reflexes and also had luck on his side: the Hungarians only hit the edge of the goal twice. The bottom line is that Daniel Frank & Co. celebrated a deserved victory against a team that - unlike Italy - will take part in the A World Cup in May. The highlights What a beam In the first power play of the evening - and after just 89 seconds - Italy struck: Spornberger took his measure and slammed a slap shot into the net. Ivan Deluca skillfully blocks the view of Hungarian goalie Dominik Horvath. Larkin's advances Defender Thomas Larkin goes on the offensive twice and comes close to making it 2-0 twice. In the end, however, the Mannheim crack lacks coolness. The second prank Spornberger celebrates again: Another slap shot flies towards Horvath, the attempt is actually central, but one of his own defenders gives the Hungarian goalkeeper no chance with a deflection. Hungary with great opportunities Akos Mihaly, Balint Horvath and Peter Vincze find 100% possibilities. With a bit of luck the puck doesn't find its way into the goal. Spornberger once made a spectacular save on the goal line. Curious scene When Horvath left the Hungarian box, Giovanni Morini was incredibly forgiving. Shortly afterwards, Brandon McNally does it better – 3-0. Italy – Hungary 3-0 Italy: Vallini (Clara); Miglioranzi-Larkin, Spornberger-Pietroniro, Gios-March, Soracreppa-Ginnetti; Ivan Deluca-Morini-Zanetti; Marchetti-Hannoun-Tedesco; Mantinger-Deluca-Frank, McNally-Schiavone-Felicetti. Trainer: Keenan

Hungary: Dominik Horvath (Balizs); Stipsicz-Hadobas, Kiss-Garat, Toth-Falus, Bence Szabo-Daniel Szabo; Erdely-Hari-Gallo, Ambrus-Nemeth-Mihaly, Vertes-Balint Horvath-Koger, Vincze-Paterka-Sarpatki. Trainer: Constantine

Gates: 1:0 Spornberger (1.29), 2:0 Spornberger (26.52), 3:0 McNally (59.57)

Viewers: 252

Four Nations Tournament in Bolzano Slovenia – South Korea 10-0 Goals: 1:0 Gomboc (00.17), 2:0 Kuralt (2.09), 3:0 Cimzar (14.34), 4:0 Ticar (19.08), 5:0 Kapel (19.35), 6:0 Kuralt (39.40), 7:0 Sturm (45.34), 8:0 Podlipnik (48.10), 9:0 Cimzar (52.47), 10:0 Ograjensek (56.44)

The table Pos Country Points 1. Slovenia 5 2. Italy 4 3. Hungary 3 4. South Korea 0

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Two Spornberger hits lead Italy to victory

The Italian national ice hockey team confirmed the good impression of the previous day on Friday as part of the four-nation tournament in memory of Michele Bolognini. She defeated Hungary in an entertaining game thanks to a defender's brace.

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