Lugano, Minsk book spot in the semifinals of Spengler Cup

HC Lugano - Mountfield HK 4-3

With a their day off yesterday, Lugano was eager to grab an early spot in the semifinals. Mountfield HK who had won their first game had taken their first penalty of the game with 10 minutes played and Gregory Hofmann was more than happy to give his team the first lead of on game day three of the tournament. But the Czechs reacted promptly. 35 seconds later it was Jiri Simanek who equalized at even strength. At 18:35 Gregory Hofmann scored his second goal of the game unassisted as both teams headed to the first intermission.

Half of the game had almost been played when youngster Luca Fazzini gave his team a 3-1 lead. The Czechs were struggling with minor penalties although Lugano wasn't able to capitalize. 31 minutes and Linus Klasen passes on Ryan Vesce: 4-1. This was the game winning goal although Andris Dzerins in the 44th minute and Rudolf Cerveny with 52 minutes on the clock came close but lost in the end.

Dynamo Minsk - HC Davos 4-5

Davos was under pressure tonight. Not only did they need a win, the needed a win with three goals difference to take the first spot in Group Cattini. But it was Minsk who set the tone in the starting minutes. Although Davos was on a powerplay it was Rob Klinkhammer who interfered a pass from Drew Shore and scored a shorthanded goal. We jump to the 17th minute: Again Davos are on a powerplay which is about to expire but this time Adam Hall nets the puck for the equalizer.

The second period continued with a one-man advantage for Davos and Noah Schneeberger put his team ahead 2-1. The home team was now on fire, less than a minute later Perttu Lindgren scored the third goal. Minsk's fourth penalty proved to be the next chance for Davos as Drew Shore, who normally laces his skates for league rival EHC Kloten, put Davos up 4-1. All of a sudden Minsk woke up. 30 seconds had passed when Danila Karaban secured the second goal for his team. Alexander Pavlovic then closed the gap to one goal when he beat Nyffeler unassisted in the 31st minute. 

Enzo Corvi's first goal of the tournament brought back a little hope for Davos when he scored the fifth goal with 2 minutes played. Minsk had no plans to take a detour through the pre-semifinals and secured the group win albeit the loss tonight. Pavlovics second goal of the night made it 5-4 for Davos.

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