Asiago forces decisive final game 5

In front of a great crowd of almost 4,000 spectators, the fourth final game of the Alps Hockey League took place in Jesenice. Luca Stevan, who replaced starting goalie Vallini during the third game, was in the net for the visitors. The home side had the first chance in a 2 on 1 situation through Miha Logar, on the other end Stefano Giliati failed to beat Jesenice goalkeeper Oscar Fröberg. In the seventh minute, the Italians took the lead: After Anthony Salinitri was stopped, Steven Iacobellis put the rebound home. Asiago continued to be the better team, but Logar equalised in the twelfth minute: The forward surprised Stevan with a shot into the short corner. The score remained at 1:1 going into the first break. Only 29 seconds after the restart, Eetu Elo was alone and beat Stevan five-hole. When Salinitri was skating goalwards, he could only be stopped by a foul and a penalty was awarded - Fröberg saved the attempt. In the 31st minute, however, the visitors got the deserved equaliser. The Italian champions created pressure in the offensive zone and finally Michele Marchetti scored with an one timer to make it 2:2. Asiago now had the momentum, but could not use six minutes of power play. At the beginning of the third period there were chances on both sides. In the 50th minute, Stevan had a big save on Jure Sotlar. And a little later the yellow-reds struck: League MVP Salinitri (54th) scored to give the visitors the lead again. When Jesenice took full risk and pulled their goalie for another skater, Asiago captain Jose Magnabosco (60th) ensured the decision with an empty netter. The Italians thus tied the "best-of-five" final series, the decisive game five will take place on Tuesday in Asiago.

Alps Hockey League | Final 4:
Sat, 16.04.2022: HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice - Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey 2:4 (1:1, 1:1, 0:2)
Referees: RUETZ, SCHAUER, Arlic, De Zordo.
Goals: 0:1 ASH Iacobellis S. (06:35 / Salinitri A. ,Parini G. / EQ), 1:1 JES Logar M. (11:55 / Zibelnik A. ,Pance E. / EQ), 2:1 JES Elo E. (20:29 / Pance E. ,Viikila J. / EQ), 2:2 ASH Marchetti M. (30:58 / Iacobellis S. / EQ), 2:3 ASH Salinitri A. (53:14 / Magnabosco J. ,Iacobellis S. / EQ), 2:4 ASH Magnabosco J. (59:22 / Casetti L. ,Salinitri A. / EQ).
Standings in the "best-of-five" series: 2:2

Photo: Serena Fantini