by Martin Merk|07 OCT 2021 iihf.com

The Italian women’s national team started the Olympic Qualification campaign on home ice successfully by beating their rivals across the Mediterranean Sea from Spain 4-1.

Italy took advantage from a strong and efficient first-period showing with three goals. And even though the home team didn’t manage to run up the score any further they clearly outshot Spain 46-16 throughout the game.

The Azzurri earned an early lead a few seconds after a face-off in the offensive zone at 1:35. Rebecca Roccella sent a horizontal pass through the crease on the other side where Anna Caumo was ready to net the puck.

The Italians created a couple of more dangerous moments in front of Spanish goaltender Alba Gonzalo including a post shot around the nine-minute mark before they were again rewarded midway the period. The Italians were on their first power play and saw a shot from the blue line from Amie Varano blocked same as Caumo’s rebound attempt but Aurora Abatangelo’s third shot went in.

While the Spaniards didn’t take advantage of their power plays, the Italians also converted their second opportunity. With heavy traffic in front of the Spanish goal Chelsea Furlani scored on a rebound with 2:50 left in the opening frame.

The Spanish reaction followed early in the middle frame 63 seconds after the first puck drop. Haizea Fernandez de Romarategui skated through the Italian zone with little resistance and tried it with a high shot from about ten metres to spoil Elisa Biondi’s shutout attempt.

Italy continued to put shots on the Spanish net but didn’t get their fourth goal easily and the games got chippy at times with the teams exchanging 16 minor penalties. The home team had to be patient until the final goal with 2:59 left before the buzzer. Abatangelo fed Marta Mazzocchi with a horizontal pass, who deked Gonzalo to score the 4-1 goal.

After a day off Italy will face Chinese Taipei on Saturday night while Spain will challenge Kazakhstan. Italy and Kazakhstan, the two undefeated teams after Day 1, will meet in the last game on Sunday night.Spain vs Italy – 2022 Women’s Final Olympic Qualification Group G