After the big win on KAC ice, the Rossoblù continue their long season-opening road trip. Friday 2 October at 7.15pm, the challenge against VSV at the Villacher Stadthalle, live on DAZN.
There is barely time to savour the night in Klagenfurt before Milano Hockey Club must already turn its attention to the next challenge.
On Friday 2 October at 7.15pm, the Rossoblù take to the ice at the Villacher Stadthalle against EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV, in the seventh fixture of the season in the win2day ICE Hockey League.
MILANO CONQUER KLAGENFURT AND REACH THE TOP
Doug Shedden's side arrive in Villach riding a wave of enthusiasm after Wednesday night's 4-2 win at the Heidi Horten-Arena, a result that handed KAC their first defeat of the season.
Milano built their success by moving into a 3-0 lead through goals from Greg McKegg, Nick Caamano and Blake McLaughlin. In the third period the hosts fought back to make it 3-2, but the Rossoblù held firm, surviving a nerve-wracking five-on-three penalty kill before Caamano sealed the game with an empty-net goal to complete his brace.
Jake Smith once again played a leading role, proving decisive between the pipes on a night when KAC put the Milano net under heavy pressure.
With the win in Carinthia, Milano move to 15 points after six games, from five wins and just one defeat, drawing level with Klagenfurt at the top of the standings.
"In Klagenfurt," explains American defenceman Tory Dello, "we didn't play our best game, yet we found a way to win. We've taken another big step forward, because now we know we can beat anyone in this league. But now we have two more battles ahead of us, starting with Villach. It would be very important for us to keep the positive momentum going on this long road trip, so that we can finally show up in front of our own fans full of confidence."
TWO TEAMS ON THE ROAD, FOR SIMILAR REASONS
Friday's game will also have a particular twist. For Villach it will be the first home game of the season, after a start to the campaign played entirely away from the Villacher Stadthalle.
It is a situation Milano know very well. The Rossoblù are also spending the first part of the season away from home: the first eight games in the Club's ICE Hockey League history are all on the road, ahead of the debut at the new Fiera Ice Arena in Rho.
Villach is therefore the seventh stop on Milano's long opening journey. After Friday's game, Sunday 4 October brings a trip to Salzburg, the last away fixture before the eagerly awaited debut at the Fiera Ice Arena, set for Friday 9 October at 7.45pm against Innsbruck.
THE OPPONENT: VILLACH
VSV come into the game after a 1-0 defeat away to Hydro Fehérvár AV19 in midweek action. The game was decided by a second-period power-play goal from László Farkas.
Against Milano, however, the Adler will be able to count on the support of the Villacher Stadthalle crowd for the first time this season, adding a further element to a game that comes just 48 hours after the intense battle in Klagenfurt.
VILLACH–MILANO: HOW TO WATCH
EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV–Milano Hockey Club is scheduled for Friday 2 October at 7.15pm at the Villacher Stadthalle.
The game will be broadcast live on DAZN and Sporteurope.
For Milano it will be the penultimate stop on a road trip that has accompanied the entire start of their first season in the ICE Hockey League. Then Salzburg. And finally, on 9 October, Milano will come home.
