Team Canada won its first game of the 2023 Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland on Boxing Day. In the Cattini Group, Canada defeated Sweden’s Frolunda HC 4-0.
The Canadians scored two goals in a minute and 11 seconds in the first period. They then scored two goals in two minutes and twelve seconds in the second period.
Two Canadians led the team with three points each. Right winger Jonathan Hazen of Val-Belair, Quebec, who plays for HC Ajoie in Switzerland, scored three points with two goals and an assist, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins defenseman Ty Smith of Lloydminster, Alberta, scored with a goal and two assists three points points. Smith has National Hockey League experience with the New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins. The other Canadian scorer was Corban Knight of Oliver, British Columbia. Knight has NHL experience with the Calgary Flames, Florida Panthers and Philadelphia Flyers and currently plays for Bern SC in the Swiss League.
Canada also received a shutout against former Carolina Hurricanes, San Jose Sharks, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabers goaltender Aaron Dell of Airdrie, Alberta. He made 30 saves. In the only other game on Tuesday, HC Dynamo Pardubice of the Czech Republic defeated Switzerland’s HC Anbri-Piotta 3-2 in overtime.
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