The fourth attempt proved to be the right one. A Milano side that grew stronger as the game went on took its revenge in the back-to-back against Fehervar, less than 24 hours after the first meeting, winning 3-0 in front of their own fans. After Madaschi’s goal in the second period, Milano raised their level and claimed their first three points on home ice after three consecutive defeats.
Milano started Edoardo Berti in goal, with Smith as back-up, for his second appearance of the season in the red and blue after playing in the win in Vienna. Head Coach Doug Shedden was able to call on Saracino again, who had been out since 4 October. Allison, Houde and Finoro remained sidelined. For the occasion, the top line featured Dal Colle, McKegg and Pietroniro. Milano worked hard and generated plenty of play, but failed to convert dangerous chances around Reijola’s crease, the best of them falling to Chiodo, who was left in space but could not get a clean shot away. The early stages resembled the game played 24 hours earlier, with a willing Milano and a Fehervar side managing the game without taking many risks. Around the 12th minute the Hungarians applied heavy pressure, leaving the hosts struggling somewhat. Milano tried to respond in attack through Hannoun, who looked for Caamano, but the Hungarian defence held firm. At 15:00 Milano were awarded the first power play of the game, with a completely reshuffled special teams unit. However, the best chance fell to Fehervar, and the Lombard defence somehow survived a power play that will hardly be remembered among Milano’s finest. The closing stages of the period were marked by tactical confusion at both ends, and the first frame ended 0-0, with Milano back on the power play, to be used at the start of the next period after the penalty was called one second before the buzzer.
The second period, by contrast, brought more excitement and, at last, more entertaining hockey. Milano went close early with a one-timer from McLaughlin, followed by a chance for Saracino from close range. The hosts looked more enterprising, and at the end of a fine passage of play Madaschi scored with a diagonal shot into the top corner (24:00), set up by Chiodo from behind the net. Midway through the game the tempo rose with a burst of attacking play. Milano’s fourth line caused havoc in the opposing defence, but Cuglietta was unable to finish. First Pietroniro, with a cross-ice shot, and then Wylie tried to double the lead, but the second goal would not come. Fehervar also came close to equalising after a defensive lapse by Milano, rescued by Berti, as the Hungarians looked to strike on the counter in one of the most intriguing spells of this double header between Milano and Fehervar. At 35:00 Milano earned their third power play and this time made no mistake: Chiodo found Hannoun, who fed Caamano, and the forward tapped in from the slot for 2-0, which was also the score at the end of a period marked by several penalties.
Milano started the third period fairly well but failed to convert. The hosts went looking for the knockout blow that did not arrive, while at 44:00 the Hungarians became threatening again on a power play. At 51:00 another surge from the visitors put Berti under pressure, but the score did not change. Milano looked to hit on the counter and succeeded, making it 3-0 with a goal from close range by the returning Saracino. Three goals down, the Hungarians threw everything forward and left plenty of space, which Milano tried to exploit. Fehervar’s comeback never got going, and Milano sealed their first win on home ice.
