Ljubljana too strong for Milano: the Slovenians confirm their status as genuine title contenders, dominating the first period and then controlling the game in front of 2,500 spectators at the Fiera Ice Arena. It ends 6-1, with Pietroniro, who also dropped the gloves, scoring Milano’s only goal. The league now pauses for the international break, with play resuming on 14 November in Villach.
FIRST PERIOD Milano faced Ljubljana a week after the two sides met in Slovenia last Sunday, when the Slovenians won 5-4. The Rossoblù lined up with the same tactical set-up as in Friday’s 7-3 win over the Pioneers, also in Rho. The first forward line featured Saracino, Frycklund and Kostner, with Valentine and Grant on the blue line. On the second line, Houde was again moved back to defence.
Milano created the first chance straight away with a close-range shot from Saracino. The hosts were very aggressive in the opening shifts, forcing the Slovenians to ice the puck early to relieve the pressure. Ljubljana began to show from the 4th minute, when Smith deflected a Magovec shot and then turned aside a fine individual effort from Mayer. The visitors set up camp in Milano’s defensive zone and opened the scoring through Urbas, whose mid-height shot beat Smith. After a difficult spell, Milano got back into it through Grant as the game picked up in intensity. Caamano drew a penalty after a breakaway into the opposing zone that ended with a backhand just wide. Coach Shedden’s side had some good chances on the power play but could not convert. The green-and-whites then took charge, tripling their lead in just 20 seconds. First, a defensive turnover allowed Quince to make it 2-0; then a rapid rush ended with Pance beating Smith on the move. At 17:15 Milano broke the Slovenians’ momentum and cut the deficit: Wylie shot, Horak made the save, and Pietroniro tapped in the rebound. An eventful first period ended 3-1 to Ljubljana, who came close to a fourth goal on the power play.
SECOND PERIOD Horak had to make two important saves early in the second as Milano came out on the attack. There was also room for an old-school bout between Pietroniro and Brennan. A more assertive Milano played with confidence and pushed again to narrow the gap, but Horak sprawled to deny McKegg, sent in by Lindquist on a three-on-one. Miss at one end, concede at the other: on the counter, the Ljubljana captain cut across the slot and made it 4-1 on the backhand. A long string of infractions followed, including a game misconduct to Bohinc for a check to the head on Caamano. Neither side took advantage, apart from Lawrence hitting the post. Order was then restored; Ljubljana failed to convert a breakaway and the score stayed 4-1.
THIRD PERIOD In the third, Olimpija Ljubljana pulled further away. In the 43rd minute Zach Boychuk, set up by Jan Ćosić, made it 5-1. The Slovenians kept control of the game and at 56:51 Blaž Gregorc scored to make it 6-1. Late on, Ćosić was penalised for high-sticking, but the score did not change.
