(X Island Metro Arena, X Island)
HUElavia came into the Round-of-16, participating in their 3rd straight appearance in the round. Los Amarillos/Os Amarelos managed to get a spot into the knockouts after defeating Neu Engolion by the bare minimum of 1-0. The team was seeded as #12 in the Knockouts, and was seeded with #5 Mercedini. The same team that the National Football Team had defeated 3 times in 4 meetings during the World Cup Qualifiers for WC 83 and WC 84. Now the two teams met in Ice Hockey, playing with all their starters, and both Malinsky and Vasilevskiy starting in their respective goals. The puck was dropped and the Round-of-16 was under way!
HUElavia took the lead early in the first period when they won a power play, with a pass from Companioni reaching Giroux, who passed it to Dominguez-Garcia, to give the one-timer to slide past Malinsky into the goal to make it 0-1 for the HUElavians. The team hugged and celebrated while Kernkraft 400 blasted in the arena, with the Mercedinians furious for the goal. They would then begin to attack, and attack hard, having HUElavia on the ropes with blocks and saves from the defense and Vasilevskiy. Eventually, the HUElavian defense would crumble as in the 2nd Period, Signale would take a violent shot that had Vasilevskiy fumble the puck, only for Kelodon to tip it into the goal to make it 1-1. They would continue to attack, finally jumping on the chance late in the period, when Kozhikina would go around Ben Youseff and pass it to Antic, who gave it a one-timer to blast it past Vasilevskiy into the goal, making it 2-1. HUElavia would push during the 3rd Period to tie the game, but it was no use, with Malinsky making saves with ease. Time ticked away and in the final 2 minutes, Vasilevskiy was pulled for another attacker. The team pushed and pushed, but Gagliano would put the puck to the board and send it out, having Vranida get the puck and slide it into the empty goal with 50 seconds left to make it 3-1. HUElavia pushed once again, pulling Vasilevskiy, for another attacker and once again, Signale got the puck, sent it out for Santo to get the puck and slide it into the empty goal to make it the definitive 4-1 with 18 seconds left. HUElavia fell short after keeping it close for the vast majority of the game and got demoted to the Losers' Bracket.
Thus, HUElavia have one last chance to stay alive in the competition while being in the Losers' Bracket. They must win the next game to advance to the Semi-Finals. Their next opponent though is a very difficult one: Valanora, the #3 Hockey Team in the Multiverse. The team comes off a tough 2-3 loss to Equestria. The match will be played at The Shelter in Bayern, where HUElavians will still flock to support the team. The players are training hard for a must-win game while the fans pray for a miracle, much like the one that happened against Neu Engolion. Only time will tell what will happen. Here's to another historical upset!
FORCA HUELAVIA! VAMOS HUELAVIA! GO HUELAVIA!