Ufa overpowers Vítkovice

HC Vítkovice Steel from the Czech Republic had a good start into the tournament but threw away a three-time two goal lead. With an early double by Rudolf Huna in the first 10 minutes Vítkovice had gained a 2-0 lead. Before the end of the period Sergei Zinovyev gave a sign of life for KHL side Salavat Yulayev Ufa. With the start of the second period Ondrej Roman restored the two-goal lead for the Czechs and this time Igor Mirnov answered for Ufa. When Vladimír Svacina made it 4-2 at 26:43 it looked like the game over for the Russians. Again Zinovyev and Nikita Filatov made it 4-4 nethertheless until the start of the third period. After just 12 seconds of overtime Kirill Koltsov even won the extra point for Ufa to make their comeback perfect. Still they missed the direct qualification for the semifinals.

One day after an overtime loss against Mannheim the Canadian selects left Spengler Cup hosts HC Davos no chance at all. John Tavares and Ryan Smith pathed the way for an easy 5-0 win with a double in the first period. Byron Ritchie added another two in the middle period before Jason Williams scored the fifth at 54:01. Goalie Devan Dubnyk had 25 saves and earned a shutout.

If Mannheim doesn't win tomorrow against hosts Davos and if Fribourg doesn't lose in regulation against Vítkovice, both Team Canada and Fribourg-Gottéron stay the ones to be directly qualified for the semi-finals.   

 

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