Mannheim-Minsk

The Mannheim Eagles have experienced a set back in their first game at the Spengler Cup.  The German club suffered a 1:2 defeat at the hands of Dynamo Minsk.

One single world-class routine was enough

With a trick pass along the boards, Sergej Sadelenow smoothed the way for his offensive partner Jewgeni Kowyrschin to make the crucial score.  In the moments following that all-too rare display of brilliance, the representatives of the Russian KHL were never again challenged for the lead.

After the coming up short 2:3 in their own first game of the tournament against HC Davos, Dynamo's coach Andriewski brought forward his strongest forces for Sunday's game.  It was in the Russian's own goal zone that the Mannheim Eagles felt the more determined coaching approach. They found almost no openings to advance their own game.  And ultimately the Russian National Goal Keeper Andrej Mesin put a sovereign stop to the few raids the Germans could muster.

Very strong defense

Ville Peltonen, the Finnish star forward who spent many years in the past with HC Lugano, had already stressed before the game the importance of his team controlling the puck on defense.  He did not exaggerate to the disappointment of Daniel Steiner.  The Swiss guest player did not experience an Alpine-high-flight in his first appearance with the Eagles.

In view of his travel program - his trip from Rochester to Davos took over 36 hours - Steiner played reasonably well.  His efforts nevertheless forced an equalizing score in the 47^th minute which gave rise to a brief euphoria in the German camp. 

Steiner puts in good performance

Steiner, the forward from Emmental, is the globetrotter of the Swiss federation.  Having come back from his stint with the East Coast Hockey League, Steiner has climbed back into the AHL.  Mannheim is now the eighth club that he has played with this season, having started with a NHL camp in Columbus.  

Telegram

Adler Mannheim - Dynamo Minsk 1:2 (0:0, 0:1, 1:1)

Vaillant Arena. -- 6057 spectators. - Referees: Bulanow/Kurmann (Russ/Sz), Kohler/Wehrli. -- Goals: 32. Warlamow (Koschetkow) 0:1. 47. Arendt (Trepanier) 1:1. 49. Kowyrschin (Sadelenow, Demkow) 1:2. -- Penalties: 2 times 2 Minutes against Mannheim, 4 times 2 Minutes against Minsk.

Mannheim Eagles: Brathwaite; Pollock, Scalzo; Petermann, Reul; Trepanier, Schmidt; Hedlund; King, Forbes, Kink; Steiner, Arendt, Robinson; Mauer, Papineau, Seidenberg; Spylo, Hackert, Urguhart.

Dynamo Minsk: Mesin; Westcott, Jokela; Ljutkewitsch, Lintner; Antonow, Ternowski; Beschko; Saulietis, Platt, Peltonen; Raswadowski, Sadelenow, Demkow; Kowyrschin, Stas, Kulakow; Tschupris, Warlamow, Koschetkow.

General Notes: Mannheim without Butenschön (rested), Dynamo without Hyvönen (injured). 26. goal post from Antonow. 60. (59:40) Timeout from Mannheim, thereafter without Goalie.

By Sven Schoch (Si)

Translation: Olivia Kaferly