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sports Diahuebs 14 Januari 2021

Pietrangelo set for Vegas debut, carries high expectations

(AP) — Alex Pietrangelo “He’s one of those guys that
will be carrying the weight he can be a one-man break-
of many expectations on out,” said Vegas forward
his shoulders when he fi- Ryan Reaves, who played
nally takes the ice for the with Pietrangelo for seven
Vegas Golden Knights. seasons in St. Louis. “That’s
one thing I’ve always said
Team President George about him is you put it in
McPhee and general man- his corner, he’s hard to hit,
ager Kelly McCrimmon be- he’s very sneaky in the cor-
lieve the veteran newcomer ners with the puck. He sees
is the missing link in Vegas’ the ice very well. He makes
quest for a Stanley Cup just one move on you, makes you
four seasons after entering miss, and he brings the puck
the league. out by himself.”
Pietrangelo spent 12 seasons The second defensive pair-
with St. Louis after being ing figures to be Alec Mar-
drafted fourth overall in 2008 tinez and Shea Theodore,
and was the Blues’ captain who finished sixth in the vot-
when they won the Stanley ing for the Norris Trophy as
Cup in 2019. the NHL’s top defenseman
last season, two spots be-
The two-time NHL All-Star hind Pietrangelo. The third
defenseman signed a seven- uniform than in a St. Louis He’s already established a “I think it helps my game set will include young Zach
year, $61.6 million contract uniform playing against us,” leadership role during camp, moving the puck. As we Whitecloud, who emerged
with Vegas as a free agent in DeBoer said. “He’s got a lending his experience and continue to go and everyone last season with his stellar
October. It was a costly move, great hockey IQ. He loves staying vocal throughout starts finding their place and play. Veteran blueliner Nick
as the Knights traded center to talk about how he sees the practice sessions. He’s dis- getting used to the systems, Holden cleared waivers on
Paul Stastny to Winnipeg and game being played and sys- played the type of speed the I think it’ll certainly make Tuesday, meaning Vegas has
fan favorite defenseman Nate tems. Real refreshing. We’ve Golden Knights will need things easier for me in the 10 defensemen it can use this
Schmidt to Vancouver. They had some good dialogue. He in the defensive end against way I want to play the game.” season. Expect Whitecloud to
were decisions coach Peter keeps getting better every a reshuffled West Division be paired with Holden, Nic
DeBoer was glad the team day." that now includes Colorado, Pietrangelo, who has Hague or Dylan Coghlan.
made considering the way Minnesota and St. Louis, a been paired with Brayden
his team looks heading into Since entering the league trio against which Vegas has McNabb, figures to be a That being said, it’s the addi-
the season opener Thursday in 2008, Pietrangelo ranks gone 11-15-1 over its short key cog on the penalty kill, tion of a top-tier defenseman
against Anaheim. 13th among all defensemen history. something Vegas desperately like Pietrangelo that has the
with 450 points. His 109 needs. Over their first three Golden Knights excited for
DeBoer has watched the goals are tied for 11th in that “The speed that we have, es- seasons in the NHL, the what might be their deepest
6-foot-3, 210-pound top-tier span, while his 341 assists are pecially up front, is going to Golden Knights are tied with and most talented team.
blue-liner have an immediate 10th-highest the past 12 sea- be important for us. That’s Detroit in allowing a league
impact by blending into an sons. Pietrangelo also ranks new to me playing forwards third-worst 170 power-play “He really does it all,” top-
already stacked lineup during seventh among defensemen that can generate this much goals —- 32 of which came in line wing Mark Stone said. “I
training camp. with 25 game-winning goals speed,” said Pietrangelo, who the postseason, which ranks think once the season starts
since making his debut. registered a career-high 16 last. you’re going to see his play
”(He) looks a lot better in our goals in 70 games last season. speak for itself.”

Late Lukaku goal helps Inter set up quarterfinal with Milan

(AP) — Substitute Romelu Lu- second-division Empoli. had time to control it before blasting after seeing a great chance well saved
kaku scored a last-gasp winner into the top right corner. by Terracciano, Inter’s star forward
as Inter Milan beat Fiorentina Fiorentina is dangerously close to the scored the winner, heading in Nicolò
2-1 on Wednesday to reach the relegation zone in Serie A but it took Lukaku had been rested but he was Barella’s cross from the right.
quarterfinals of the Italian Cup, the Nerazzurri until five minutes be- brought on in the 69th and, moments
where it will face Serie A title ri- fore halftime to break the deadlock.
val AC Milan.
Christian Eriksen’s effort was parried
Lukaku headed home a minute be- by Pietro Terracciano. Alexis Sán-
fore the end of extra time in Florence, chez hit the post with the follow-up
just as it appeared as if the match was but the Fiorentina goalkeeper had
heading for penalties. brought down the Chilean striker as
he unleashed his shot and the referee
The score was 1-1 at the end of regu- pointed to the spot.
lar time after Fiorentina's Christian
Kouamé cancelled out Arturo Vidal’s Vidal then hit the penalty down the
opener from the penalty spot. middle for his first goal for Inter.

Inter will be the home side when it Fiorentina was awarded a penalty of
plays its city rival at the end of the its own moments later when Milan
month. The two Milan teams are also Škriniar appeared to foul Kouamé but
leading Serie A with the Rossoneri the referee reversed his decision after
top of the league, three points ahead a video review.
of second-place Inter.
The hosts did equalize in the 57th
Juventus hosts Genoa later in the minute. In a goalmouth scramble, the
Italian Cup and Napoli welcomes ball eventually fell to Kouamé who