At the 96th Spengler Cup, Team Canada will battle the Straubing Tigers on Monday afternoon (3.10pm) for a final berth. The Swiss duel between HC Davos and Fribourg-Gotteron in the evening game (8.15pm) will determine the second finalist.

The matchup between Team Canada and the Straubing Tigers already occurred during the preliminary round. There the Canadians won 6-3 thanks to three third-period goals despite the strong resistance by the Germans. The team from overseas will be favoured in today’s game, too. They are playing only their third game in five days. Straubing, in contrast, will be taking the ice for the fourth time in 70 hours. ‘Now I just look forward to my bed’, said the Tigers defenseman Brandt after the 4-2 upset victory over Dynamo Pardubice in the pre-semifinal. Nonetheless, it would behoove Canada not to underestimate their opponent. For the Germans are mentally soaring, and their spirit has given them wings.

‘First time at the Spengler Cup and straight into the semifinals. That is just sensational’, said Brandt after the successful pre-semifinal. ‘Pardubice was clearly superior for two periods. We had to battle hard and try to give it our all. Our goaltender Zane McIntyre kept us in the game. In the last period, we were rewarded for our spirit and effort. I am proud of our team for turning this game.’ Despite their tiredness, the Tigers are now hungry for more. ‘If we play for the entire 60 minutes of the semi-final against Team Canada the way we did for the first two periods in our 6-3 loss, then we have a chance’, believes Brandt. And he adds again, ‘ we have to play our game and not adjust it to the opponent.’

Just as at last year’s tournament, there will be a Women’s League game on Spengler Cup ice. There it will be the same duel on Monday morning as in the men’s Spengler Cup evening semi-final. The HCD Ladies will face HC Fribourg-Gotteron’s women at 11am. Davos currently sits in second place behind SC Bern, Fribourg in fifth. The doors open at 10am and the entry to the game is free.
 

Text: Spengler Cup Onlineredaktion    Foto: Keystone