Continental Cup: Asiago falls 5-2 to Herlev Eagles

Asiago suffered a 5-2 defeat against Herlev Eagles in the second game of the IIHF Continental Cup semifinal group stage. It was a difficult encounter for the Italian side, who faced a solid, aggressive Danish team that proved particularly effective offensively. After a first period dominated by the Eagles, Asiago managed to fight back in the second, overturning a two-goal deficit to level the score. However, Herlev regained control of the game in the third period, scoring the decisive goals to secure the victory. The defeat means that Asiago now faces a must-win situation in the final group game against Corona Brasov to secure qualification for the Final Six. As for the lineup, head coach John Parco confirmed the same roster used in yesterday evening's game against Nomad Astana.

Asiago endured a difficult start, struggling to cope with Herlev's aggressive approach as the Danish side put the Italian defense under pressure from the opening minutes. At the 5-minute mark, a penalty against Traversa allowed the Eagles to increase their offensive pressure, but Rudy Rigoni was ready with several good saves. Even after returning to full strength, the pattern of the game remained unchanged, with Herlev constantly pushing forward and Asiago largely forced to defend. The Italian side threatened on the counterattack in the 8th minute, when Porco tried to capitalize on a defensive mistake but was unable to beat Hellnemo. Midway through the period, Herlev took a deserved lead: Ask hit the post and Petersen reacted quickest to the rebound, firing the puck into the net. The Danes continued to control the game and, following another Asiago penalty in the 14th minute, doubled their advantage through Skarstrom shortly after the teams returned to even strength. Asiago's response was limited, although Lehtonen tried to inspire his teammates with a shot that sailed just over the crossbar. In the closing stages, the Italian side also had a power-play opportunity but failed to make the most of it, struggling to create any significant scoring chances.

Asiago returned to the ice with a better attitude than in the opening period, but a penalty in the 22nd minute allowed Herlev to resume their offensive pressure, although the Danes were unable to find a third goal. Even after the teams returned to even strength, Herlev continued to dictate the play and created several dangerous opportunities, including a two-on-one break in the 26th minute that was denied by an excellent save from Rudy Rigoni. Just when the Eagles appeared close to extending their lead, Asiago struck back: Szypula intercepted a poorly handled puck by the Danish defense and broke away, beating Hellnemo with a precise shot just inside the post. The goal gave Asiago renewed confidence, and the Italian side began to play with greater determination, despite Herlev remaining dangerous offensively. As the minutes passed, Asiago continued to improve, pushing further into the attacking zone and eventually finding the long-awaited equalizer late in the period. Rather than shooting himself, Calisti passed to Porco, who beat Hellnemo from a tight angle to make it 2-2 and complete Asiago's comeback.

The third period got off to another difficult start for Asiago, as Asperup scored just three minutes after the restart to put the Danes back in front. Asiago immediately had a chance to respond on the power play but failed to capitalize, and the same happened shortly afterward when another Herlev penalty gave the Italian side a second opportunity to restore parity. The game then entered a more balanced phase, including a four-on-four situation following two almost simultaneous penalties, but the Eagles remained the more dangerous team, continuing to push for an insurance goal. Asiago, meanwhile, struggled to rediscover the composure and effectiveness shown in the second period, finding it difficult to create chances capable of troubling Hellnemo. In the 52nd minute, Herlev scored their fourth goal through Bjerrum, who found the net from a tight angle to restore the Danish side's two-goal advantage. Asiago tried to respond but could not find the space needed to get back into the game, while Herlev continued to control proceedings and sealed the victory with two minutes remaining. Asperup completed his personal double, making the final score 5-2.

With this defeat behind them, Asiago must now turn their attention to the final and decisive game of the group stage. Tomorrow evening, the Italian side will return to the ice at Stadio Odegar to face Corona Brasov in a match that will determine the final group standings and the teams advancing to the Continental Cup Final Six. Asiago have only one objective: to secure a victory, either in regulation time or overtime, to claim one of the three available places in the next round.

These were the words of Rudy Rigoni, named Asiago's MVP: "Today was a tough game. We gave everything we had, but they had more than us. We managed to fight back in the second period, but they came out hungrier in the third. We need to find some extra energy for tomorrow and try to get the win in front of these fantastic fans."

Goals: 10:09 Petersen (Ask); 15:51 Skarstrom (Goransson, Bjerrum); 30:51 Szypula (Porco); 37:11 Porco (Calisti, Casetti); 42:56 Asperup (Goransson, Jonsson); 52:58 Bjerrum (True, Green); 58:02 Asperup (Jonsson, Goransson)

Herlev Eagles: Hellnemo (Elmose) - Falk, Curti, Jonsson, Samsoe, Mulberg, Ask, Kring - Skjellerup, Bjerrum, Goransson, Green, Petersen, Asperup, Skarstrom, Larsen, Karlstrom, Just, True, Jonsson, Holm. Head Coach: Akerman

HC Migross Asiago: Rigoni (Santangelo) - Casetti, Calisti, Parini, Tolomelli, Soderberg, Pietroniro, Rigoni F. #89 - Parco, Stevan, Rigoni F. #19, Marcazzan, Lehtonen, Marchetti, Porco, Ferretti, Traversa, Rigoni A., Szypula, Magnabosco. Head Coach: Parco

Sunday, November 15: 4:30 PM Astana vs Herlev; 8:00 PM Asiago vs Brasov

Nomad Astana 6, Herlev Eagles 6, Asiago 0, Corona Brasov 0

Tickets for the event are on sale and are valid for the entire day, allowing access to both games scheduled on that day.

For prices and purchases: https://ticket.midaticket.it/hockeyclubasiago/Events

All games will be streamed live on iihf.tv (€4.95 per game or €10.99 for a six-game tournament pass) or on fisg.tv (monthly pass available for €12.99).

Live radio commentary of Asiago's games will be provided by our media partner Radio Asiago, broadcasting on 107.7 MHz FM and online at www.radioasiago.it.

DJ sets with DJ Gioia and Radio Stella FM, our media partner, will take place on all three evenings of the tournament.