On the second game day, Orebro HC and HC Davos emerge victorious from the two matches. 

In the afternoon game, the two Scandinavian teams engaged in a surprisingly offensive seesaw battle – much to the delight of the spectators. The first period therefore saw four goals scored. As such it was Orebro that got off to a stronger start and used its first two powerplay opportunities to take a 2-0 lead. Micke Aston cut the deficit for IFK Helsinki shorthanded. And 135 seconds later Kaspar Halttunen even tied it up. The highly talented 17-year-old forward is the youngest player in the entire tournament.
In the second period the Finns controlled the game, yet it was the Swedes who scored two more goals. The Finns were unable to turn the tide in the third period. Instead, William Wikman scored an empty-netter 93 before the last buzzer for the 5-2 final score.

HC Davos beats Team Canada

2-1 – that was the final score. 51 seconds into the game “Rappi’s” loan Andrew Rowe finished after an ideal pass from Enzo Corvi to make it 1-0. And 84 seconds later Leon Bristedt doubled the lead assisted by Dennis Rasmussen. It took the Canadians some time to recover from the false start.
In the middle period, too, Davos was able to keep its opponent at bay for a while, preventing a structured offense with tempo and aggressive forechecking. But the guests found their way back into the game moving HCD goaltender Aeschlimann into the spotlight. 164 seconds before the second intermission he was unable to prevent the goal – Brett Connolly’s pinpoint long-range shot cut the lead in half.

Thrilling third period

HCD missed the liberating third goal on two powerplay opportunities. Hughes miraculously denied Marc Wieser, Matej Stransky, and Andres Ambuhl. But his counterpart emerged to be the matchwinner. Aeschlimann remained calm and focused, even in the final two minutes when the Canadians vehemently pushed for the tying goal with six skaters. The HCD goalie made 28 saves in the game. He was deservedly given HCD’s best player honours after the game.
After the second loss the Canadians will enter the quarterfinals as the last-placed team in the group stage. But they should not be counted out yet. In 2016 Team Canada still took the title following the same scenario.

Quelle. Spengler Cup-Onlineredaktion Foto: Keystone