At the 97th Spengler Cup in Davos, the final two semi-finalists will be determined on the fourth day of play (29 December). In the match-up between Sparta Prague and Team Canada at 3:10 p.m., as well as in the evening game at 8:10 p.m. between HC Davos and IFK Helsinki, the remaining semi-final places will be decided.

HC Fribourg-Gottéron and the U.S. Collegiate Selects secured a day off on Monday by finishing top of their respective groups ahead of Tuesday’s semi-finals. The group victory came as a surprise primarily for the North American college selection, which nevertheless impressed with its technical skill and fundamentally solid hockey.

The situation is quite different for the remaining four Spengler Cup teams. Now it is all or nothing. The winners of the pre-semi-finals will qualify for Tuesday’s semi-finals, while the losers will have to pack their bags. In the afternoon, two experienced teams will face off in the current Czech league’s third-placed side Sparta Prague and Team Canada. The outlook appears completely open, especially as the Canadians are expected to play a far more offensive game than in their tactically dominated encounter against HC Davos.

HC Davos also needed a long time against Team Canada before finally stepping up the pace, pressure and determination in the final fifteen minutes. These qualities will once again be required if HCD are to prevail against IFK Helsinki. The Finnish team coached by star coach Olli Jokinen boasts a strong mix of experienced players and young talent. IFK Helsinki are aiming not only to advance to the semi-finals, but also to secure the first match win by a Finnish team at the Spengler Cup since 2019.
 

Photo: Keystone