A bitter night for Milano at the Villacher Stadthalle: after a scoreless first period, Caamano gave the visitors a fleeting lead. Villach then capitalised on key moments and swung the momentum. The 7-2 final score is an unduly harsh verdict on the Rossoblu, who suffered their second defeat of the season. Forget and move on is the imperative ahead of Sunday's game in Salzburg, the eighth and final road trip before the opening of the Fiera Ice Arena.
Milano were without Finoro as well as the long-term injured Allison. Shedden reshuffled the line-up, moving Houde alongside Frycklund and Saracino and bringing Pietroniro back up front on the fourth line. The hosts, playing their home opener, started the stronger, looking to throw as many pucks as possible towards Smith's net. Milano nonetheless remained well organised and managed to create a few chances in transition, particularly through the usual McLaughlin–Caamano–Hannoun line, adept at turning defence into attack in two touches. On one of those chances, the post denied Caamano. Villach's best opportunity came on the power play: Teasdale, left alone in the slot, lost the duel with a superb Smith. Momentum shifted in the closing minutes of the first period, with the Rossoblu spending more time in the offensive zone.
It was no coincidence, then, that Milano took the lead through their trusted partnership: McLaughlin carried the puck into the zone and dropped it for the trailing Caamano, whose perfect shot beat Cannata. Villach, however, deserve credit for equalising on the very next shift through Wieltschnig, who shook off Wylie's coverage and tucked a backhand past Smith. A low-intensity phase followed, with both teams seemingly feeling the effects of a season start packed with long road trips. A single episode changed the game: during a highly questionable penalty called on Saracino, Milano created a short-handed chance but paid dearly for Villach's counter-attack, a well-executed 3-on-1 finished off by Sproul. Milano wobbled and conceded a third goal through Wallenta, whose shot at the near post caught Smith by surprise. Trailing 3-1 after 40 minutes, Milano faced a steep uphill task.
In the third period Milano had nothing left in the tank. Cramarossa extended the lead on a penalty shot, and from then on the contest was over. Houde's power-play goal (deflected in off a defenceman) provided the only consolation in a period dominated by the Eagles.
VSV VILLACH – MILANO HC 7-2 (0-0; 3-1; 4-1)
Goals: 2nd period 4'15" Caamano (M), 5'01" Wieltschnig (V), 15'29" Sproul (V) PP, 18'04" Wallenta (V); 3rd period 6'24" Cramarossa (V) PS, 8'00" Hughes (V) PP, 11'41" Rebernig (V), 13'11" Houde (M) PP, 14'27" Rebernig (V)
Full game report: https://ice.hockey/stats/spielstats?gameId=8199
