At the 92nd Spengler Cup, Team Canada easily qualified for the final which will take place on Monday (12:00 noon). Led by the outstanding Zack Boychuk, the Canadians won 4-2 against the Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers on Sunday afternoon.

Team Canada’s victory against the Ice Tigers indicates they are on their way to successfully defend the title at the Spengler Cup. With this 16th tournament win, they could take over the sole leadership of the winner statistic. The basis for their semi-final victory against the Germans was set early by the Canadians - in the first period – led by Zack Boychuk. The 29-year old forward, who joined SC Bern from Sevestral Tscherepovets (KHL) during this season and who also played in the successful team at last year’s Spengler Cup, arranged for the early 3-0 lead in the first period. He prepared the first goal with a pass to Cory Emmerton, then sunk the next 2 goals himself.

The Germans never gave up, even when they were clearly behind – Chris DiDomenico increased the lead to 4-0 in the 23rd minute. They showed excellent morale and lots of fighting spirit. In the last period, they were able to reduce the lead to 2-4 thanks to goals shot by Daniel Weiss and Brandon Buck. The Nürnebrgers pleased the crowd with their strong ice hockey at their premiere participation at the Spengler Cup. The highlight for the Germans was their surprising 3-1 victory against Metallurg Magnitogorsk.

Team Canada – Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers 4-2 (3-0, 1-1, 0-1)

Vaillant Arena, Davos – 6,300 spectators (sold-out). – REF Stricker/Wiegand, Castelli/Progin.

Scoring: 8. Emmerton (Boychuk) 1-0, 10. Boychuk (Emmerton) 2-0, 13. Boychuk (Noreau) 3-0, 23. DiDomenico (Ebett, Noreau) 4-0, 32. Weiss (Pföderl, Gilbert, excluding Wiercioch) 1-4, 46. Buck (excluding Boychuk, Aronson) 2-4.

Penalties: 4 times 2 minutes against Team Canada, 6 times 2 minutes against Nuremberg Ice Tigers.

Team Canada: Fucale; Fabbro, Quincey; Bieska, Wiercioch; Despres, Noreau; Curran; D‘Agostini, Ebbett, DiDomenico; Micflickier, Boychuk, Emmerton; Knelsen, Moore, Lappiere; Gagnon, Mitchell, Cracknell; Winnik.

Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers: Treutle; Festerlin, Aronson; Lalonde, Mebus; Gilbert, Weber; Jurcina, Bender; Buck, Bast, Bassen; Reimer, Weiss, Pföderl; Brown, Action, Mieszkowski; Segal, Lerg, Fox.