The two group hosts entered the last day of play in the second round of the 2024-25 Continental Cup and both emerged victorious. As a result, Ritten Baum from Italy and Corona Bracov from Romania advance to round three next month.
Group C (Ritten, Italy):
Sokil Kyiv (UKR) 2 – KHL Sisak (CRO) 4
In a meeting between two winless teams which both knew they were playing their last Continental Cup games of the season, Kyiv outshot Sisak 38-22 and took the early lead, but Sisak goaltender Niksa Slade was brilliant the rest of the way, making 36 saves. Bruno Idzan assisted on Sisak’s tying goal midway through the first and scored the eventual game-winner early in the second.
Ritten Baum (ITA)5 – Acroni Jesenice (SLO) 3
There was little to choose between these two teams all tournament and that continued in this decisive game, which was 1-1 after one period and 3-3 after two. Kevin Fink scored the game-winner with 9:04 to play and Diego Cuglietta added some late insurance, lifting Ritten to its third straight win on home ice and a berth in the Continental Cup third round next month.
Final standings: 1. Ritten 9 points, 2. Jesenice 6 points, 3. Sisak 3 points, 4. Kyiv 0 points.
Group D (Bracov, Romania)
Mogo Riga (LAT) 5 – Ferencvarosi TC (HUN) 2
In a very important game between two teams that entered the final day with hopes of advancing, Riga jumped out of the gate with a goal in the first minute and led 3-0 after one period. It was 5-0 before Ferencvarosi mounted a bit of a comeback, but Riga was able to hold on and would advance if Bracov got anything less than a regulation victory.
CSM Corona Bracov (ROU) 6 – Energija Elektrenai (LTU) 3
However, the Group D hosts would win their third straight game to secure advancement to round three. It took them a while to get going, with Yevgeni Skachkov opening the scoring in the last minute of the first period, and it was 2-1 late in the second, but Bracov did ultimately prevail. In a balanced attack, six different players scored for the victors – Skachkov and Adam Brady tied for the group scoring lead with seven points each.
Standings after two games each: 1. Bracov 7 points, 2. Riga 7 points, 3. Ferencvarosti 4 points, 4. Elektrenai 0 points.
Round 3: November 15 – 17, 2024
Group E: HC Arlan (Kazakhstan), Cardiff Devils (Great Britain), Vlci Žilina (Slovakia – host candidate), Ritten Baum (Italy).
Group F: Aalborg Pirates (Denmark – host candidate), GKS Katowice (Poland), Bruleurs de Loups de Grenoble (France), Corona Bracov (Romania).
Final round: January 16 – 19, 2025
Top two teams each from Group E and Group F.
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