Kloten Flyers win Dolomitencup, defeat previous two German champions

The Dolomitencup has established itself as a very attractive pre-season tournament for top hockey clubs in Central Europe. As a proof you simply need to look at the 4  clubs, who took the journey to South Tyrol this year to participate in the 10th edition of the tournament: Defending DEL champion Adler Mannheim, its predecessor ERC Ingolstadt, 2014 Swiss vice champion Kloten Flyers and traditional Czech club Sparta Praha.

Sparta Praha vs ERC Ingolstadt

Both semifinals featured a great goaltending battle. While in the first game of the tournament the German goalkeeper won the battle, as Ingolstadt's Timo Pielmeier defeated Sparta Prague's Thomas Pöpperle thanks to the game winning goal by Brian Lebler, Mannheim did not qualify for the ultimate showdown. German national team net minder Dennis Endras was outclassed by an amazing perfomance of Kloten's Martin Gerber, Stanley Cup champion in 2006, who carried his team to the final.

The game to determine the 3rd placed team was highlighted by a line brawl between the 'Eagles' and Sparta in the opening minutes of the game. Despite 's Buchteleho's great shootout move, it was the German champion to bring home the victory, also thanks to Youri Ziffzer's stellar goaltending perfomance.

Adler Mannheim vs Kloten Flyers

The Würtharena was sold out for the final clash on Sunday evening between Kloten and Ingolstadt. In what might have been the most defensive minded game of the tourney goals by Swedish defenceman Erik Gustafsson and Chad Kolarik decided the game for the Swiss club. Ingolstadt was unable to beat 40-year old legend Martin Gerber in net and so the Flyers could celebrate their first ever Dolomitencup title.

Semifinals
ERC Ingolstadt - Sparta Praha 4:3 (highlights)

Kloten Flyers - Adler Mannheim 3:2 (highlights)

Game for 3rd place
Adler Mannheim - Sparta Praha 3:2 SO (highlights)

Final
Kloten Flyers - ERC Ingolstadt 2:0 (highlights)

Final standings
1. Kloten Flyers
2. ERC Ingolstadt
3. Adler Mannheim
4. Sparta Praha

All winners of the Dolomitencup:
2015 - Kloten Flyers
2014 - Augsburger Panther
2013 - Augsburger Panther
2012 - HC Lugano
2011 - EHC München
2010 - EV Zug
2009 - Kölner Haie
2008 - Frankfurt Lions
2007 - Frankfurt Lions
2006 - Frankfurt Lions

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