Team Canada won its first game of the 2023 Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland on Boxing Day. In Group Cattini action, Canada blanked Sweden’s Frolunda HC 4-0.
The Canadians scored two goals in the first period within a span of one minute and 11 seconds. They then scored two goals in the second period within a span of two minutes and 12 seconds.
Two Canadians led the team with three points each. Right winger Jonathan Hazen of Val-Belair, Quebec, who plays for HC Ajoie in Switzerland had two goals and one assist for three points, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins defenseman Ty Smith of Lloydminster, Alberta had one goal and two assists for three points. Smith has National Hockey League experience with the New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins. Meanwhile, the other Canadian goal scorer was Corban Knight of Oliver, British Columbia. Knight has NHL experience with the Calgary Flames, Florida Panthers and Philadelphia Flyers, and currently plays with Bern SC in the Swiss League.
Canada also got a shutout from former Carolina Hurricanes, San Jose Sharks, New Jersey Devils, and Buffalo Sabres goaltender Aaron Dell of Airdrie, Alberta. He made 30 saves. In the only other game on Tuesday, HC Dynamo Pardubice in the Czech Republic beat Switzerland’s HC Anbri-Piotta 3-2 in overtime.
