Milan – The Milano Hockey Club suffered a narrow 2-3 home loss to EC-KAC Klagenfurt in the ICE Hockey League on Friday night. Two power-play goals by Grant weren’t enough for Milan. In addition, goaltender Smith was injured and had to leave the ice on a stretcher.
Head Coach Shedden expressed concern for his goalie after the game. The most important thing, he said, was that Smith was okay and could make the trip to the next game in Ljubljana. Regarding his team’s performance, he said they need to win games like this. With the score tied 1–1 after 40 minutes, they need to find a way to decide the game. Their five-on-five play needs to improve drastically.
KAC Takes the Lead, Grant Ties the Score
The visitors from Klagenfurt, who were missing seven players, took the lead in the first period on a goal by Obersteiner in the ninth minute. Milano, with Eric Houde returning after several weeks off, struggled to break through the Carinthians’ defense.
In the second period, the home team turned up the pressure and created several scoring chances, including a shot by McKegg that hit the post. In the 39th minute, Milano capitalized on a power play to tie the game. Grant scored with a shot just under the crossbar to make it 1-1, and the teams headed into the second intermission with the score tied.
Injury-induced shock and a narrow defeat
Early in the third period, Sablattnig put Klagenfurt back in the lead (44th minute). Shortly afterward, play was halted for an extended period after Milan’s goaltender, Smith, was struck in the neck by a puck and had to be carried off the ice on a stretcher. Berti took his place in goal.
Immediately after play resumed, Hudson extended the KAC’s lead to 3–1 (48th minute). Milano, however, refused to give up and closed the gap to 2–3 in the 52nd minute with Grant’s second power-play goal. Despite their best efforts in the closing minutes, the Milan team was unable to tie the game.
The Milan team's upcoming games
The Milano Hockey Club now has two away games on its schedule. On October 25, the team will face Olimpija Ljubljana, and two days later, AV19 Fehervar. The next home game will take place on October 30 against the Pioneers Vorarlberg.
