It was a rematch of last year's Spengler Cup final, as Team Canada and HC Lugano both found their way back to this game. It was a hard fought game from both teams, with both putting up 40+ shots on net. The scoreboard wasn't as reflective, as Team Canada found the net more often, winning 5-2 over HC Lugano. The win helped Team Canada defend their Spengler Cup title.
Team Canada 5 - HC Lugano 2
It didn't take long for the scoring to start in this one. Just 31 seconds in, Dario Bugler's blast from the top of the faceoff circle, beating Zach Fucale to put HC Lugano up 1-0. Team Canada had a chance to tie the game moments later, as Max Lapierre was called for interference. Team Canada was unable to get anything going on their powerplay, and HC Lugano escaped the two minutes unharmed. Canada managed to keep up the pressure though, and would find their way onto the scoreboard. A scramble in front saw Chay Genoway sneak in and put the puck past Elvis Merzlikins, tying the game. The younger Genoway soon found himself in the penalty box, getting called for slashing. Ryan Vesce had the best chance for Lugano on the powerplay, but his shot would be gloved down by Fucale. Lugano kept up the attack after the man advantage, getting a few shots in the process. Canada managed to turn the tables, starting with Francis Pare getting a backhand shot from the slot. Team Canada spent most of the last few minutes of the period on the powerplay, as James Wisniewski was called for hooking. The Canadians managed a few shot, but Merzlikins had little trouble stopping them. The period ended, as both teams headed to the intermission tied 1-1.
Just like the first, the second period started with a quick goal. Jacob Micflikier's blind pass to the crease found Marc-Antoine Pouliot, who redirected it into the Lugano net. Moments later, Chay Genoway once again put Canada down a man, as he was sent off for goaltender interference. Burgler had a chance to tie the game early in the powerplay when a rebound went right to him, but Shaun Heshka slid over to block the shot. Canada turned the puck around, as Cory Emmerton streaked up ice, split the Lugano defense, and tucked a backhander five hole on Merzlikins to give Canada the lead. Team Canada kept at it while being shorthanded, as James Sheppard and Gregory Campbell went in on a two-on-one. Campbell received the pass, but his shot was stopped by Merzlikins. Sheppard got a whack at the rebound, as the puck trickled all the way to the goal line before Merzlikins' stick prevented a goal. It was reviewed and determined that the puck did not fully cross the line. The nightmare of a powerplay for Lugano would end early, as Gregory Hofmann was called for hooking. Neither team got anything going on the four-on-four, and Canada only mustered two shots on the shortened powerplay. Mason Raymond got a chance later on, when he kept on a two-on-one, but his shot hit the crossbar. Midway through the period, Pouliot was called for tripping, giving Lugano another shot on the man advantage. It went better for the Swiss club, but once again they failed to capitalize on a powerplay. HC Lugano had another powerplay minutes later, when Chris DiDomenico was called for slashing. Again, Lugano showed improvements on the powerplay, but left it goalless. Lapierre had a prime chance moments after, getting a breakaway, but his shot was stopped by Fucale. Team Canada extended their lead late in the period, when Raymond found Andrew Ebbett in the slot. Ebbett's redirection bounced off Merzlikins and into the net. The Canadians ended the period with a powerplay, as Tony Martensson got called for tripping with 13 seconds remaining. The buzzer went to end the second period, as Team Canada went into the break up 4-1.
Looking to shake things up, HC Lugano changed goalies before the start of the third. Stefan Muller came on to replace Merzlikins. Team Canada started the period on the man advantage, but managed to do little with it. HC Lugano had their turn on the powerplay minutes later, when Mark Flood was called for tripping. Burgler finally solved Lugano's powerplay woes, as he drove to the net and slid the puck under Fucale's pad, giving him his second goal of the game. HC Lugano looked to have woken up after that goal, as they kept up the pressure on the attack. Fucale stood strong though, not letting Lugano get a shot past him. Canada managed a few chances of their own later on, but Muller stopped what was shot at him. HC Lugano was back on the powerplay midway through the period, as Heshka was called for holding. Lugano worked the puck around well, but had little to show for it. Both teams had their chances once even strength play continued, with neither able to add to their respective scores. It was a bit feisty late in the period, with a scrum in front of the Canadian net resulting in both Colby Genoway and Raffaelle Sannitz going off for roughing. Four-on-four came and went, with both teams getting a few shots. Muller was pulled once play went back to five-on-five, as HC Lugano had less than two minutes to tie the game. Nick Spaling would ice the game for Canada, tapping the puck into an empty net. Wisniewski (high sticking) and DiDomenico (unsportsmanlike conduct) were sent to the penalty box after the goal. Team Canada held on to the puck for the remaining 17 seconds, as they won the game 5-2. The win gives Team Canada their second straight Spengler Cup, and 14 all time.
Players of the game: Cory Emmerton (CAN), Dario Burgler (HCL)
Emmerton was buzzing in the first for Team Canada, and scored a highlight reel goal in the second. He finished the game with a goal and two assists. Burgler was the only one who could beat Fucale. The Swiss forward scored both of HC Lugano's goals.
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