2015 Spengler Cup Recap - Day 3

Day 3's theme: don't be a Swiss based club. If you were, you'd lose by two goals. The losses weren't the same though, as one was a high-scoring affair that featured multiple lead changes, while the other was a shutout.

HC Lugano 4 - Jokerit Helsinki 6

HC Lugano started the game in the driver seat, as they controlled most of the play. Damien Brunner almost opened the scoring early, but his shot could not beat the outstretched pad of Henrik Karlsson. Linus Klasen and Fredrik Pettersson had a two-on-one later on, but could not convert on that chance. Klasen, Pettersson, and their linemate Tony Martensson looked to have a good chance minutes later, but Martensson could not connect on the one-timer. Play started to shift Jokerit's way, resulting in a penalty by Lugano's Ilari Filppula. Peter Regin had the best chance on the man-advantage, but could not put the puck in the back of the net. Once the penalty ended, Brunner would drive wide into the Jokerit zone, but he could not cut in soon enough, as his shot was stopped by Karlsson. Jokerit's Brandon Kozun would break the tie, as he cut into the high slot and beat a screened Mark Owuya. Jokerit looked to make it a two-goal game moments later, but Juhamatti Aaltonen's one-timer was stopped by Owuya. The Klasen-Pettersson-Martensson had one more chance at the end of the period. While Martensson did connect on the one-timer this time, he could not beat Karlsson. Kozun's goal was the only one that period, as Jokerit headed into the intermission up 1-0.

It didn't take long for the goals to happen in the second. A minute into the period, Ryan Glenn received a pass from Tim Stapleton and wired it over Karlsson's should, tying the game. Just over a minute later, Ilari Filppula snapped a shot past Karlsson, giving Lugano their first lead of the game. That lead didn't last long, Tim Kennedy beat Owuya from a bad angle to tie the game 2-2. Lugano was eager to get back in the lead, as they pressured for the go-ahead goal. Karlsson would stand strong though, as he made a couple saves to preserve the tie. Both teams swapped chances, but neither goal would be beat. The tie was eventually broken, as Roope Talaja capitalized on a missed pass by the Lugano defence, skated in on a breakaway, and slipped it five-hole on Owuya, putting Jokerit back in the lead. Jokerit kept the pressure up afterwards, and while they didn't get another goal, they did draw a penalty. That may have been more of a curse than a blessing, as Lugano had a shouthanded two-on-one. Gregory Hofmann's initial shot was stopped, but Brunner was right there to put home the rebound, as once again the game was tied. Moments later, Pettersson hit Klasen for a breakaway pass. Klasen didn't squander this opportunity, as he snapped it past Karlsson, putting Lugano back in the lead. Hofmann had a chance in the last minute of the period to extend the lead, but his backhand attempt was stopped. HC Lugano started the period down a goal, and finished it up a goal, as they headed into the intermission up 4-3.

HC Lugano made a goaltending change to start the period, as Mark was Out Da Crease in favour of Edgars Merzlikins. That moved backfired, as 27 seconds into the period, Philip Larsen finished off a tic-tac-toe play to tie the game for Jokerit. It got worst for Merzlikins, as five minutes later Arturs Kulda beat him on a point shot he should have saved. It got a bit heated midway though the period, as Clarence Kparghai (HCL) and Kozun (HEL) were sent off form roughing. Jesper Jensen (HEL) was also given a cross checking penalty, as HC Lugano went on the powerplay. They could not get much going on the man advantage though, as they remained down a goal. Helsinki got back on the offence afterwards, as Pekka Jormakka found Ville Lajunen, who wasted no time in finding the back of the net. Merzlikins, for his part, did his best Hasek impression on the save attempt, but couldn't get the puck. Jokerit Helsinki kept up the pressure despite leading 6-4, as they needed one more goal to clinch first place. They were close at one point, as Jesse Joensuu hit the crossbar. Late in the game, Jokerit pulled Karlsson for an extra attacker. It didn't work though, as they couldn't get that extra goal. Despite not getting another goal, Jokerit did win the game 6-4.

Players of the game: Damien Brunner (HCL), Pekka Jormakka (HEL)

Damien Brunner had a good game, as he created a few chances for himself. His efforts weren't fully rewarded though, as he only got a shorthanded goal. He only got one assist, but Jormakka stood out in the game. He was in on numerous chances and drew a penalty.

Team Canada 2 - HC Davos 0

The first period looked to be all Davos, as the host club was in control for a good portion of it. Canada did have short spurts of offense, with Conacher's shot from the slot being their best chance early in the period. Leonardo Genoni was there to make the stop. THe puck would go the other way right after, as Sven Ryser's attempt to pick a corner was thawed by Jeff Glass' shoulder. Both teams would have ample chances in the period, but neither goalie would be solved. The period ended with both teams knotted at zeroes. Somewhat surprisingly, Canada lead 12-9 in the shot department.

The tide changed in the second period, as it was Canada who was off to a flying start. Davos got the first good chance though, as Devin Setoguchi shot from his off-wing was stopped. Canada took control after that, as Tom Pyatt and Manny Malhotra had two good chances that were stopped. The pressure exhibited by Canada did pay off, as Alexandre Giroux received a pass from Matthew Lombardi and beat a sliding Genoni to break the tie. Canada kept at it, as they looked to extend their lead. They didn't score right away, but they did get a powerplay, as Jens Nater was sent off for holding. The powerplay lasted 29 seconds, as a scrum after the whistle saw Cory Conacher be penalized for slashing. Four-on-four wnet much of Canada's way, but Genoni stood strong. Once five-on-five resumed, Canada's efforts would pay off again. Tom Pyatt corralled a missed shot from behind the Davos net and fed Chris DiDomenico in the slot, who tucked it five-hole to give Canada a two-goal lead. HC Davos called a timeout after the goal, looking to get back on track. It didn't help much, as both teams would swap chances the rest of the way. The best one came late in the period, as Derek Roy stole the puck and went in on a breakaway, but his shot was stopped by Genoni.

Minutes into the third period, Enzo Corvi was called for roughing (although it was more like wrestling), as he took down Lombardi. Being shorthanded didn't look that back for Davos, as Picard had a brilliant chance early on, but Glass was able to poke the puck off his stick before he could shoot. Just as that penalty ended, another one was called, and this time it was a Canadian player who was sent off (Mark Cundari for holding the stick). Again, it seemed like the shorthanded team had the best chance, as Pyatt deked out both a defender and Genoni, but Andres Ambuhl came back just in time to prevent the puck from sliding across the line. Canada did well in killing their penalty, as they completely took away the backdoor pass option from Davos. HC Davos did get another powerplay minutes later, as Conacher was once again penalized (this time for interference). It was much of the same though, as the Swiss club could not do much with the man-advantage. Both teams would exchanged chances the rest of the way, highlighted by Lombardi being robbed by the glove of Genoni. The game was never in doubt for the Canadians though, as they shutout the host 2-0.

Players of the game: Tom Pyatt (CAN), Leonardo Genoni (HCD)

Tom Pyatt was a force in this game. He had one assist, three shots on goal, and dangled past multiple defenders. Leonardo Genoni did what he could to keep the game close for his team. He stopped 40 of 42 shots, including a highlight reel save on Canada's Matthew Lombardi.

Standings After Group Play

Group Torriani

Team	Wins	OTW/SOW	OTL/SOL	Losses	Points	Goal Diff.
HC Lugano	1	0	0	1	3	+1
Jokerit Helsinki	1	0	0	1	3	0
Adler Mannheim	1	0	0	1	3	-1

Group Cattini

Team	Wins	OTW/SOW	OTL/SOL	Losses	Points	Goal Diff.
Team Canada	2	0	0	0	6	+3
Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg	1	0	0	1	3	+3
HC Davos	0	0	0	2	0	-6

Playoffs

Now that round robin play is over, the playoff matchups are set. The first pre-semi-final (quarter final) game will see Jokerit Helsinki take on the host HC Davos. Later in the day, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg will play Adler Mannheim in the second game. The semi-finals will see Canada take on the winner of Jokerit Helsinki/HC Davos, while HC Lugano awaits the winner of Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg/Adler Mannheim.