Dynamo Minsk outclassed Karlovy Vary in the Czechs' farewell game

At the Spengler Cup in Davos, the KHL representatives Dynamo Minsk completely out-classed the Czech Champions Karlovy Vary by winning the Tuesday evening game 8:0.  Consequently, Wednesday's games truly will act as two genuine semi-finals.

The Dynamo Minsk got off to a furious start and made it clear from the get-go who was in charge. After just 192 seconds, the dominant Belarusians lead by 4:0 after goals from Dimitri Meleschko (2), Jaroslaw Tschupriss and Hannes Hyvönen.  After falling down 0:3, the Czechs changed goalkeepers, but without success.  The first four Dynamo shots found the back of the net.  Only after 28 minutes when the score was already 0:7 did Dynamo Minsk take it down a notch.

Decisive genuine semi-finals for last day of group play

Since the Dynamo Minsk won their game today, there are still four teams with a legitimate chance to enter the finals.  The dual semi-finals format comes one year earlier than planned since with the addition of a sixth team to next year's Spengler Cup, play-off games will start on the fourth day and necessitate two semi-final games.  This year, however, after four days of play Dynamo Minsk, Adler Mannheim, Team Canada and HC Davos all have four points after playing three games.

The Czech Champions Karlovy Vary conclude their visit to the tournament winless, and start on Wednesday for an early trip home.  The winners of Wednesday's afternoon game between Dynamo Minsk and Team Canada (3:00 pm) will meet in the Finals the victor from the Wednesday evening game matching HC Davos - Adler Mannheim (8:15 pm).  The Final which takes place on New Year's Eve is already sold out.

Karlovy Vary - Dynamo Minsk 0:8 (0:4, 0:3, 0:1)

Goals: 2. (1:00) Meleschko (Sadelenow, Lintner) 0:1. 2. (1:23) Tschupris (Warlamow) 0:2. 3. (2:51) Hyvönen (Peltonen, Westcott/disqualification Prosek) 0:3. 4. (3:12) Meleschko (Sadelenow) 0:4. 23. Westcott (Warlamow) 0:5. 25. Hyvönen (Peltonen, Lintner) 0:6. 29. Antonow (Lintner, Warlamow/disqualification Loginow) 0:7. 42. Kulakow (Demkow) 0:8. - Penalties: 4 times 2 minutes against Karlovy, 5 times 2 minutes against Dynamo.

Ranking table

1. Adler Mannheim 3/4 (8:5). 2. Team Canada 3/4 (15:13). 3. Dynamo Minsk 3/4 (12:4). 4. HC Davos 3/4 (10:11). 5. Karlovy Vary 4/2 (10:22). (Si)

Translated by Olivia Kaferly