Just like yesterday's games, there were similarities in both games today. This time, it was seeing Swiss teams go up 4-1 before their opponents started to comeback. Both would hold on to win, but only one of them finished on top of their respective groups as a result.
HC Lugano 4 - Mountfield HK 3
The game started slowly, with both teams exchanging a few shots. Things picked up a couple minutes in, when Roman Kukumberg managed to split the Lugano defense before drawing a hooking call on Alessandro Chiesa. The powerplay wasn't much help to the Czech squad though, as they could not muster much on the man advantage. They did keep the pressure up as play went back to even strength, with Rastislav Dej getting the best chance. HC Lugano would get their chance on the powerplay midway through the period, when Tomas Knotek got called for hooking. It ended up being what the Swiss club needed, as Gregory Hofmann blasted a point shot past a screened Patrik Rybar to open the scoring. Just 35 seconds later, Mountfield would respond. Jiri Simanek redirected a pass from Rudolf Cerveny into the Lugano net, tying the game. Mountfield wasn't content on just tying the game, as they kept up the attack. This lead to another powerplay for them, as HC Lugano's Linus Klasen was sent off for hooking. Once again, Mountfield had little to show for on the man advantage. HC Lugano started to pick up their attack after the penalty, first with Klasen going in on a partial breakaway, but shooting over the net. Pressure off an offensive faceoff resulted in Hofmann intercepting a pass, cut near the crease, and beating Rybar five-hole to put HC Lugano up 2-1. Richard Jarusek had a chance to tie the game before the period ended, but his shot would miss the net. The first period ended with HC Lugano leading Mountfield 2-1.
Mountfield controlled most of the play early in the second, as the Czech club looked to once again tie the game. Penalties started to get called five minutes into the period, starting with James Wisniewski going off for cross-checking. Just seven seconds into Mountfield's powerplay, Jarusek was called for hooking, making play go to four-on-four. Klasen got the best chance on the opened up ice, but Rybar had little trouble making the save. 20 seconds before the first penalty expired, Lukas Lhotek was called for slashing, giving HC Lugano a powerplay. The Swiss club could not take advantage of the short four-on-three, and it was much of the same when it became five-on-four. It ended up being Mountfield's penalty kill getting the best chance, as Dej's breakaway attempt was stopped by Daniel Manzato. Luca Fazzini would open the scoring for the period, toe-dragging around a Mountfield defender before beating Rybar high blocker. HC Lugano kept buzzing, and were rewarded for their efforts. Ryan Vesce kept on a two-on-one, and snapped it past Rybar. That was it for Rybar's day, as Ondrej Kacetl came on in relief. The later half the game was back-and-forth, with Lugano getting the better share of shot attempts. The middle frame ended with HC Lugano up 4-1.
The highlight of the first two minutes of the third was Roman Kukumber's stick exploding on a slapshot and flying rink-wide. It looked like Mountfield's fortunes would not improve, as Alexandre Picard was called for a questionable slash. The Czech club managed to capitalize on being shorthanded though, as Andris Dzerins kept on a two-on-one and beat Manzato. Once Mountfield was done killing their penalty, they would go on the powerplay, thanks to Raffaelle Sannitz getting called for hooking. It got chippy near the end of the powerplay, with Picard and Wisniewski getting into a shoving match in front of the Lugano net. Both would get sent to the box for roughing, with Wisniewski getting an extra penalty for slashing. Despite that powerplay, and another one after when Vesce was sent off for interference, Mountfield's powerplay was impotent, unable to do much with the man advantage. The Czech club did score seconds after Vesce's penalty expired, but it was not without controversy. Manzato looked to injured his groin going for a save, and was down for a couple of seconds. This allowed Cerveny to score on a wide open net. Manzato was helped off the ice, as Elvis Merzlikins (who is reportedly suffering from a hip issue) came into the game. Protest by HC Lugano fell flat, as the goal stood, making it a 4-3 game. Mountfield pushed, looking for a tying goal. Their hopes of tying the game took a hit when Cerveny was called for a hook late in the period. The penalty would be killed, and Mountfield had about a minute left on the clock. Jake Newton had the best chance, receiving a cross-ice pass, but his shot missed the net. HC Lugano held on, winning the game 4-3 and getting a bye to the semi-finals.
Players of the game: Gregory Hofmann (HCL), Rudolf Cerveny (MHK)
His play might have tailed off a bit after the first, but the two goals by Hofmann was helpful to HC Lugano. Either one of Cerveny, Dzerins, or Simanek could be player of the game, as they were the best line for Mountfield. His goal is debatable given the circumstances, but Cerveny helped get the Czech club on the board in the first.
Dinamo Minsk 4 - HC Davos 5
HC Davos had the best chance early on, with Andreas Ambuhl trying to set up Tino Kessler with a cross-crease pass. Sergei Dzord was on Kessler though, tying his stick up so the HC Davos forward could not get a shot. A minute later, it was Minsk's turn to get a chance, as Aaron Palushaj shot wide on a partial breakaway. Davos was still in control for the most part, and ended up drawing a penalty about five minutes into the game. Despite taking the penalty, it was Minsk who would score. Rob Klinkhammer intercepted a pass at the blueline, skated in on a breakaway, and tucked a backhand by Melvin Nyffeler. HC Davos could not get anything going for the rest of their powerplay. The Swiss club kept up the attack though, trying to tie the game. Dinamo Minsk took a bit of a hit when Nikita Komarov took a shot off the wrist, but he managed to stay in the game. Kessler would get his chance midway through the game, but Kevin Lalande denied him with a glove save. Matt Ellison had a chance to extend Dinamo Minsk's lead later in the period, with Nyffeler giving up a rebound after Roman Graborenko's point shot. Unfortunately for the Belarusian team, Ellison was unable to jam the rebound home. HC Davos found themselves back on the powerplay moments later, when Kristian Khenkel was called for slashing. The Swiss club had a couple of chances, and managed to bury one of them just before the powerplay expired. Adam Hall tipped Drew Shore's shot past Lalande, tying the game. HC Davos got one more powerplay before the period was over, with Klinkhammer going off for hooking. Five seconds wasn't enough to do anything though, as both teams headed into the intermission tied 1-1.
Starting the period with a powerplay was helpful for HC Davos. Noah Schneeberger blasted a shot from the point that beat Lalande clean. Davos' lead quickly increases, as a minute later Perttu Lindgren finished off a tic-tac-toe play to make it 3-1. The momentum of the two goals were short-lived. Per Ledin was called for hooking half-a-minute later, giving Minsk their first powerplay of the game. Dinamo Minsk's puck movement was on display during the man advantage, but Nyffeler was not letting any of their chances get by him. HC Davos hung on to kill the penalty, and went back on the attack. Shore had a couple of solo efforts minutes apart, but could not convert on them. Davos' ability to keep up the attack led to Kirill Gotovets getting called for holding. HC Davos' powerplay was once again successful. Shore finally connected on an opportunity, snapping one over Lalande's glove. The 4-1 lead for HC Davos would evaporate quickly. Just 15 seconds later, a turnover by Enzo Corvi led to Danila Karaban burying a loose puck. 52 seconds after that, Alexander Pavlovich slid past the defense and buried a backhander, cutting HC Davos' lead to one. Just before the goal, Tuomo Ruutu leveled Matt Ellison with a big hit away from the play. Minsk was arguing for a call after the play stopped, but it ended up with them getting a bench minor. Davos' powerplay wasn't gold this time, as the powerplay came and went with not much in the way of chances. Dinamo Minsk would have their turn on the man advantage later in the period, starting with Shore going off for slashing. During the penalty kill, Corvi flipped the puck over the glass, as Minsk was given a two man advantage for a minute-plus. Once again Minsk was able to move the puck around, but were unable to capitalize on it. A faceoff late in the period saw Dino Wieser and Sergei Drozd agitate each other, leading to the ref calling both of them for unsportsmanlike conduct. The 52-second four-on-four didn't result in anything, as HC Davos finished the period leading Dinamo Minsk 4-3.
The third period started with both teams still at four-on-four, but neither team did much with the opened-up ice. Enzo Corvi would redeem himself from his turnover early in the game, as he collected a loose puck, deked out Lalande, and slid the puck into the net to make it 5-3 for the host. HC Davos started to get into penalty trouble again, as Lindgren and Ambuhl were penalized 32-seconds apart. Dinamo Minsk got chances on the two man advantage, but could not jam the puck into the net. While Minsk again failed to convert on the two man advantage, they did score on the remaining powerplay. Klinkhammer found Pavlovich for a one-timer. Pavlovich wouldn't get much on the shot, but a bit of luck as the puck bounce off Beat Forster and Nyffeler on its way into the net. HC Davos did challenge the play for offside, and after a couple of minutes, it was determined Davos brought the puck back into their zone, negating the offside. When play resumed, Davos went back on the attack. Dino Weiser had a good shot at getting that goal back, but was unable to get the puck past the pad of Lalande. Minsk soon returned the favour, with Evgeny Kovyrshin ringing one off the post. Komarov had a chance as well, but could not get a proper shot. The pace continue to quicken, with both teams exchanging chances. Nyffeler had to stand tall for his team, first by stopping Andrei Stepanov on a breakaway, then deflecting Palushaj's shot with his glove. Minsk kept coming with the chances, but Nyfeller was on his game. HC Davos hung on to win 5-4. Despite the loss, Dinamo Minsk had the advantage in goal differential, giving them first place in the group and a bye to the semi-finals.
Players of the game: Rob Klinkhammer (DIN), Drew Shore (HCD)
It was Klinkhammer's play on the penalty kill that opened the scoring. He also made a great pass to set up Pavlovich's second goal. Drew Shore was an offensive buzz saw for HC Davos. He finishes with a goal, an assist, and numerous scoring chances.
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