Peter Sykora scored against Vitkovice

It was a tight game, but HC Davos has made it to the Spengler Cup final for the first time since 2009. The host team beat Vitkovice 4:2 in the first semi-final this afternoon. HC Davos’s last tournament win dates back to 2006. Tonight at 8:15pm CET, Dinamo Riga and Wolfsburg are playing the second semi-final to determine who’ll be facing Davos in the final game tomorrow at noon.

For the second time within just three days, HC Davos has won an extremely tight game against HC Vitkovice, last season’s runner-up in the Czech Extraliga. In their first encounter in the Spengler Cup preliminary round last Tuesday, HC Davos had turned the game around (from 0:1 to 2:1) thanks to two goals scored by Petr Taticek.

HC Vitkovice Not Able to Take Revenge

In today’s re-match, Vitkovice again took the lead in the 25th minute (2:1). But it was again Taticek (2:2) who was able to put his team level and, five minutes later, Pavel Brendl even put his side 3:2 ahead – it was the perfect turnaround for the home team. But the game wasn’t over just yet: Petr Sykora with an empty netter just 46 seconds before the final whistle secured the win for Davos after both teams had missed several excellent scoring opportunities.

Like yesterday against the Kloten Flyers, Vitkovice showed a very strong and passionate performance in this semi-final. The Czech team didn’t let HC Davos get on top of them like in their first encounter three days ago but fought back persistently. Goaltender Roman Malek with almost 40 saves was his team’s best player, and young Australian Nathan Walker scored his second goal of the tournament when he put his team in the lead (2:1) temporarily.

Well-deserved Win

It was a well-deserved victory for Davos, in which Taticek, impressive Brendl, Sykora, and Gregory Sciaroni scored the goals for HC Davos. The host team created a lot of excellent scoring opportunities in a fast and highly competitive game.

Two years ago, HC Davos made it to the Spengler Cup for the last time so far; back then they lost 1:3 against Dynamo Minsk. The host team’s last tournament win goes back five years, when they beat Team Canada 3:2 in the final.

In the second semi-final tonight, Dinamo Riga and Wolfsburg will determine who will be facing HC Davos in the final game of the 2011 Spengler Cup at noon tomorrow.

Match Summary:

HC Davos - Vitkovice 4:2 (1:1, 2:1, 1:0)

Vaillant Arena. – 6,500 spectators (sold out). – Referees Jablukow/Stricker (Germany/Switzerland), Kaderli/Kohler (Switzerland). – Goals: 4. Sciaroni (Earl, Sejna) 1:0. 12. Sedivy (Collenberg) 1:1. 24. (23:35) Walker (Kucsera) 1:2. 25. (24:31) Taticek (Joggi, Reto von Arx) 2:2. 30. Brendl (Guggisberg, Niinimaa) 3:2. 60. (59:13) Sykora (Taticek) 4:2 (empty goal). – Penalties: 4 x 2 minutes against Davos, 3 x 2 minutes against Vitkovice. – Notes: Goaltenders: Davos with Genoni, Vitkovice with Malek. Guggisberg (26.): shot hits the post, Forster (30.): shot hits the crossbar.

Results:

Davos. 85th Spengler Cup. Semi-finals: Davos - Vitkovice 4:2 (1:1, 2:1, 1:0). Dinamo Riga - Wolfsburg (8:15pm CET). - Final on Saturday (12pm CET). (Si)