NOVI SAD, Serbia – HC Novi Sad won the first-round Group A of the Continental Cup and advanced to the second stage.

Novi Sad came from behind in the standings after they lost the first game against Slavia Sofia in a shootout before beating the Dundalk Bulls, 4-2.

Croatian champion Mladost Zagreb was the clear favourite after a 13-4 win over Dundak and and 11-2 decision against Slavia Sofia on day two, but the last proved to be the squad's downfall.

The Novi Sad fans eagerly awaited the Serbian-Croatian clash on the final day and despite being outshot 40-53, Novi Sad won 4-1. Canadian centre Kyle Zettler opened the scoring at 14:05 while Russian winger Pavel Popravko scored twice in the second period. Serbian national team player Predrag Milosavljevic also had a goal.

National team goaltender Milan Lukovic was the hero with 52 saves. He was only scored on once in game when Croatian Janko Kucera scored the only Mladost goal.

The Dundalk Bulls, who became the first-ever Irish champions in March, finished their international debut in third place after edging Bulgaria’s Slavia Sofia, 6-4.

HC Novi Sad now advances to the second round. In Group C in Miercurea Ciuc, Romania, they will face Romanian champion SC Miercurea Ciuc, Hungary’s Dunaujvaros and Spanish champs CG Puigcerda, October 17-19.

Click here for Group A game summaries.
Click here for the 2008-2009 Continental Cup groups.