Hungary defeats Italy 3-2

HUNGARY-Italy 3-2

Head coach Jarmo Tolvanen and his coaching staff decided to stick with Ádám Vay in net, however there was one change in the lineup as Vilmos Galló and Chris Bodó switched spots. Bodó was on the left wing of Hári and Sebők, with Galló playing on the left wing of Sarauer and Sofron. After four games in the World Championships there were already two upsets as Slovenia had lost to Great Britain and Poland.

For the opening faceoff Hungary had Pozsgai and Stipsicz on the blueline with the forward line of  Gergő Nagy, Vas and Magosi up top. The Italians made a switch in net after their opening win to Poland as Andreas Bernard got the start between the pipes.The game started off at a fast pace, on the second shift Erdély had a centering pass that went through the Italian crease. The Italians also had an early chance from the slot, but the shot was blocked. In the first five minutes of the game both sides had chances and both Bernard and Vay and to make saves. Italy opened up a 1-0 lead off of a strange play just as Tommaso Traversa was being pulled down in front of the net by Wehrs a shot went off of his back and dropped in behind Vay for the 1-0 lead. Bernard was forced to make a save off of a shot from the blueline by Varga. After the ensuing faceoff Italians had a chance but were unable to put the bouncing puck in the net. This was followed on the next shift with a number of shots on net by Hungary but the puck just didn’t want to go in. With 7:30 left in the period Scandella hit the post for Italy. The first penalty of the game was not called until late in the period, unfortunately it was against Hungary. Not much later Italy was also called for a penalty and the game continued on in 4 on 4. In the final minute Hungary was creating around the net but but the game remained scoreless.

The second period started off with a goal for Hungary as Sofron took a pass from Galló from behind the net and snapped a pass to the tape of Sarauer, who flipped it past Bernard for the goal. The Hungarian penalty kill kept on working as they killed an early short handed situation in the period. After an Italian turnover Gergő Nagy had a shot go above the goal, on the same shift Hári had a chance as well. The match started to turn physical as the it reached the midway point. With 9:02 left in the period an Italian shot was deflected up in the air, during the commotion in front of the net the puck dropped in behind Vay, however the goal was disallowed because of interference. Hungary finally had their first power play of the game, after Italy cleared the puck Hungary was unable to clear the puck, after a turnover Larkin fired it past Vay from the slot. Hungary took advantage of the remaining time on the power play as Galló set up Sebők from behind the net who touch passed to Vas, the team captain put it past Bernard to tie the game up at 2-2. Both teams kept up the fast pace of the game throughout the second period. With two minutes left Erdély came in on net, after his shot Bernard could not control the rebound, Hungary jumped on the loose puck but could not put it home. The game remained tied at 2-2 after the second period.

The third period started much like the second, with a Hungarian goal. Sebők took a pass from Wehrs and shot it through the legs of Bernard from the right faceoff dot to put Hungary up 3-2. Jarmo Tolvanen shuffled the line for the third period. Hungary kept the pressure on throughout the early part of the third period. Hungary had a power play in the middle part of the period but were unable to take advantage of it. Italy tried to battle back as the game came to a close but were unable to. With less than two minutes left, the Italians pulled their goalie for the extra attacker but were unable to get the puck into the back of the net as Hungary picked up the very important three points.

Bodó, Hári, Sebők
Galló, Sarauer, Sofron
G.Nagy, Vas, Magosi
Kóger, K.Nagy, Erdély
Benk

Pozsgai, Stipsicz
Varga, Wehrs
Garát, Gőz
Szirányi

Vay (Rajna)

Schedule
HUNGARY-Kazakhstan 0-3
Italy-HUNGARY 2-3
Slovenia-HUNGARY
Poland-HUNGARY
HUNGARY-Great Britain

Roster

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