Canada, Italy top standings at sledge hockey international

More than one thousand young people packed the Palatazzoli ice sledge hockey arena on Wednesday (9 December) to see Italy defeat South Korea on home ice in Torino.

In the other game of the day Canada were victorious over Norway to strengthen their leading position in the table, and will meet the Norwegians again in the semi-finals on Friday (10 December).

Italy- South Korea 4-0 (1-0 2-0 1-0)

Italy were the first to strike in this intense match after an initially scoreless 12 minutes.

Florian Planker, who has scored in every single game for Italy in Torino, surprised the South Korean goaltender with shot from middle distance.

The Italians also made a great start to the second period. After just 43 seconds Eusebio Antochi doubled the score with a close range effort.

Another four minutes later and Italy had struck again via Alessandro Andreoni.

But in the second half of the period the South Korean threat began to grow. The PyeongChang 2018 hosts pushed and created several chance but Italian goaltender Santino Stillitano held firm.

In the last fifteen minutes of the match the hosts maintained their advantage almost without challenge, finding the net in the power play courtesy of Valerio Corvino.

"We knew there would be a challenge simply because [South] Korea is a good group from which emerges some interesting individuality" explains Gianluigi Rosa, defender and Most Valuable Player of the game.

"We were able to control them well in defense and our younger guys have played a great match, scoring two goals (Antochi and Andreoni). We played in a fantastic setting that loaded us and allowed us to give our best.”

Canada - Norway 8-0 (1-0 4-0 3-0)

In the second match of the day Canada got through Norway with a decisive win.

After a balanced opening, the Canadians still controlled the game by building towards their first goal. In the second and third periods Canada ramped up their efforts, attacking the Norwegian goal successfully a total of seven times.

Canada v Norway and Italy v South Korea will feature again on Friday (11 December) ahead of the finals on Saturday (12 December).

All matches are being streamed live at IPC Ice Sledge Hockey’s website courtesy of Italian broadcaster Rai.

Entrance to all games, is free to spectators, and a full schedule can be viewed at Sportdipiu’s website.