After Cardiff, Žilina, Katowice and Aalborg won on Friday, all eight teams were back in action on Saturday in Slovakia and Denmark. Four teams will advance to the Continental Cup final round and everybody now knows what they need to advance – if possible.
Group E (Žilina, Slovakia)
Rittner Buam (ITA) 1 – Arlan Kokshetau (KAZ) 2 (0-0, 1-1, 0-1)
Kazakh champion Arlan held a wide edge in play and a 57-22 advantage in shots but Ritten goalie Colin Furlong came up huge with 55 saves and almost earning his team’s first points. The only Arlan shooter to beat him was Vladimir Borovkov, who netted the equalizer at the 33-minute mark and the game-winner with 14:53 to play. The loss eliminates Ritten from advancing.
Cardiff Devils (GBR) 4 – Vlci Žilina (SVK) 1 (1-0, 1-1, 1-0, 0-1)
In a matchup of Friday’s two winners, the winner of this game would likely secure a spot in the Continental Cup final round and that team is Cardiff. It was an evenly-played game but the Devils were more opportunistic on their chances, with Zach O’Brien netting the game-winner midway through the second period. With just two points, Žilina can still advance with a regulation win over Ritten and an Arlan regulation loss to Cardiff on Sunday.
Standings after 2 games each: 1. Cardiff 6 points, 2. Arlan 4 points, 3. Žilina 2 points, 4. Ritten 0 points.
Group F (Aalborg, Denmark)
GKS Katowice (POL) 2 – Brûleurs de Loups de Grenoble (FRA) 4 (2-1, 0-1, 0-2)
The “Wolf Burners” blew a two-goal lead and lost of Friday, but on Saturday they trailed 1-0 and 2-1 but came back to win. Alexandre Mallet, a second-round pick of the Vancouver Canucks in 2012, scored Grenoble’s first goal to tie the score in the first period and scored the game-winner midway through the third. Grenoble and Katowice are now tied in points, with both of their fates to be determined by Sunday’s results.
CMS Corona Bracov (ROU) 2 – Aalborg Pirates (DEN) 3 (1-1, 0-1, 1-1)
Julian Jacobsen was the hero for the Pirates, opening the scoring at 13:58 of the first period and then scoring the game-winner with 46 seconds left in regulation time to secure three points. Linemate Darian Craighead had three assists and Joonas Niemela had a goal and an assist in a winning cause. Yevgeni Skachkov had a goal and an assist for Bracov. As a result, the Pirates are almost assured a spot in the Continental Cup final round, whereas Bracov will need a regulation win on Sunday and help.
Standings after 2 games each: 1. Aalborg 6 points, 2. Grenoble 3 points, 3. Katowice 3 points, 4. Bracov 0 points.