Women’s World Cup: first joy for Italhockey, beats Poland

Women's World Cup: first joy for Italhockey, beat Poland

First success at the Women’s World Championship Division I Group B for the Italian women’s national team, which – after the unexpected defeats against Great Britain and Latvia – manages to raise its head again thanks to a 2 to 1 victory against Poland: Gius and Niccolai’s goals were decisive. With these three points, which came against the strongest opponent on paper encountered so far, the Azzurre move up the standings, bypassing the Polish team. The last two games, scheduled for Friday, April 5 (at 11:30 a.m. against Slovakia) and Saturday, April 6 (at 11:30 a.m. against Slovenia), will be decisive.

Poland plays the match well, immediately creating the first chance with Pozniewska, who at 04:36 serves Onyshchenko a golden puck that is worth the lead. The Italian reaction – still without the injured Mattivi – was immediate and at the 08:26 minute, on a powerplay, came the equalizer: a nice play by Caumo, who let off a puck deflected in front of the goal by Gius’ stick. Despite the many penalties conceded, the Azzurre also came close to taking the lead with Caumo, who hit the post on the far post with an almost sure shot.

Poland also became dangerous again, but Czarnecka did not affect from short distance. The match remains in equilibrium in the middle period, during which no scoring is counted: però Italian-branded chances arrive thanks to a couple of shots from the blue that sow panic on the rebound in front of the Polish goal; the most important chance creates forò Sikorska, who at the end of a great personal action hits the crossbar in full.

After risking in the opening of the third period on Pozniewska’s attempt, on which è Fedel was good, Italy hit the goal that decided the match at 47:49: Sass conceded a long rebound on Stocker’s shot and Niccolai did not forgive. In the final, the Azzurre still have to show off a penalty killing this time and bring home the three points.