Sparta excels. At the Spengler Cup, she destroyed the home team Davos with nine goals
Sparta hockey players successfully managed their second appearance at the traditional Spengler Cup in Davos, when they outclassed the home team 9:2. Defender Michal Kempný shone with four points for two goals and two assists, representative Matěj Stránský made his mark in the Swiss national team jersey.
The Prague team followed up on their opening win over Canada (3:2), won the first place in the group and thus directly advanced to Friday’s semi-finals. In it, they will start at 15:10 against the best of the Swedish Örebro’s match with Canada.
Kempný set the tone right after 83 seconds from the opening goal with the first successful finish of the evening. In the 11th minute, Safin made a great run. From that moment on, in front of more than 7,000 spectators in a sold-out auditorium, the Spartans held the baton of the match firmly in their hands and had other chances, but goalkeeper Senn kept Davos afloat.
When Stránský reduced seven seconds before the break, the home team’s chances increased a bit, but only temporarily. In the second act, a storm came in the form of Sparta. Příbyl was penalized for a mistake right at the start, but Kempný returned to the visitors’ two-goal gap in a weakened state. Buchtele followed him up in the 26th minute, and when Horák and David Vitouch scored in the 33rd minute in a space of 43 seconds, the decision was made.
Not long after the start of the third period, Sparta also played the first power play of the match and captain Řepík scored a penalty – 7:1. Two minutes later, Dvořáček was also among the scorers when he scored an uncompromising shot without preparation. In the 55th minute, Horák also took advantage of Prague’s second numerical advantage, only correcting Ambühl at the very end.
Hockey Spengler Cup in Davos:
Cattini Group:
HC Davos – HC Sparta Prague 2:9 (1:2, 0:4, 1:3)
Goals and assists: 20. M. Stránský (Fora, Corvi), 60. Ambühl (Saarela, Nygren) – 2. Kempný (E. Thorell), 11. Safin (Moravčík, D. Vitouch), 22. Kempný (Sobotka, Horák), 26. Buchtele (D. Vitouch, Kempný), 33. Horák (Tomášek, E. Thorell), 33. D. Vitouch (M. Jandus, Buchtele), 45. Řepík (Tomášek, Kempný), 47. Dvořáček (Konečný, G. Thorell), 55. Burner (Přibyl, G. Thorell). Referees: Lemelin (USA), Štolc – Atlmann, Obwegeser (all Swiss). Exclusion: 2:3. Usage: 0:2. Underweight: 0:1. Audience: 7080 (sold out).
Sparta lineup: Jakub Kovář – M. Jandus, Mikliš, T. Tomek, Kempný, Krutil, Moravčík, Böhm – Řepík, Sobotka, Přibyl – Tomášek, Horák, E. Thorell – Safin, D. Vitouch, Buchtele – Dvořáček, G. Thorell, Konečný – M. Vitouch. Coaches: Horava and Wallson.
Final table:
1. | Sparta Prague | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12:4 | 6 |
2. | HC Davos | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4:10 am | 3 |
3. | Canada | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3:5 | 0 |
Torriani Group:
HC Ambri-Piotta – IFK Helsinki 7:3 (2:0, 2:2, 3:1)
Goals: 33rd and 57th Kneubuehler (first M. Špaček), 6. Pestoni, 11. McMillan, 23. Chlapík (M. Špaček), 42. M. Špaček (Chlapík), 54. Heim – 23. Motin, 30. Rantakari, 44. Nättinen.
Final table:
1. | HC Ambri-Piotta | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12:5 | 6 |
2. | Örebro HK | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7:7 | 3 |
3. | IFK Helsinki | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5:12 a.m | 0 |