The Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers invited the “Spengler Cup on Tour” entourage to their home town of Nurnberg, Germany: The DEL (German Ice Hockey League) Team intends to reach the semi-finals of the traditional tournament. The big favorite, however, is Metallburg Magnitogorsk of the KHL (Kontinental Hockey League). The Russians will present a very special premiere in Davos this year.

A successful Friday for the Spengler Cup participating teams: Spengler Cup on Tour were special guests of the Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers when they won their DEL game against the second-placed EHC Red Bull Munich team 4-1, KalPa Kuopio Hockey (Finnish League) won 3-1 against Turku and the HC Ocelari Trinec (Czech Extra League) dominated 4-1 against Chomutov to further extend their lead in the standings.

Experience the Spengler Cup Live

The first puck will be thrown at the Spengler Cup in just 18 days. Ice hockey fans can expect great atmosphere, fascinating ice hockey and lots of emotion. While the tournament has been merchandised, there are still tickets available.

Defending champions - Team Canada - will certainly be composed of skillful players as experience has shown, and with their 16 wins, have taken over the sole lead in the champion ranking. The Czech representative HC Ocelari Trinec had a weak start to their season but now lead the standings. The exact reverse was the case for KalPa Kuopio Hockey. They started well but have recently begun to fall behind. The host team – Hockey Club Davos – is also currently struggling. In spite of their difficult season, the team intends to have a decisive impact on who wins the cup.

Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers in the Semi-Finals

Thomas Sabo, the main sponsor of the Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers, Official Time Keeper and Sponsor of “Most time on Ice Player” at the Spengler Cup is excited to see his team – together with 3 additional players – compete in the Vaillant Arena he explained at the recent Press Conference in Nurnberg, Germany. “Even though we are in a very strong group together with Team Canada and Davos, reaching the semi-finals with the support of our roaring fans is a realistic goal.” Brandon Buck – who played in 11 season and 4 Spengler Cup games with HC Davos – now playing for the Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers, can hardly wait for the tournament to begin. He is ecstatic. For their first challenge, the Ice Tigers will face the loser of the Davos – Canada game. “We will play Davos first, then Canada”, he is convinced. Everything is possible for the Ice Tigers at this fantastic tournament: “But Magnitogorsk is the favorite.”

Father and Son on the Ice

The Deputy Director, Anton Chaika, travelled from Magnitogorsk especially for the press conference. The ex-NHL player and current Coach, Wiktor Nikolajewitsch Koslow, has implemented a suitable playing system, says Chaika: “The team has won and lost this year but is presently in good form.” Whether season game or Spengler Cup – there is only one goal: “We want to win.” He specifically likes to remember Metallurg Magnitogorsk’s  Spengler Cup win in 2005: “All of Switzerland and the 20 million ice hockey fans in Russia were delighted.” A player who was with the team back then was Denis Platonov. This year, together with this son Yury, he will provide a special premiere: For the first time at a Spengler Cup event both Platonovs, a father and son, will stand on the ice together.