MINSK, 29 December (BelTA) – Despite losing their second game to HC Davos 4-5 at the Spengler Cup 2016, HC Dinamo Minsk secured first place in the group ahead of the hosts and Team Canada due to the goal difference. HC Davos and Team Canada both finished with the same point total.
Craig Woodcroft's men opened the scoring in the 5th minute with Rob Klinkhammer's short-handed goal. HC Davos, then, retook the command of the game, bursting into a 4-1 lead. Still in the first period, Adam Hall tied it up on the power play. Noah Schneeberger used the next man advantage to move his team in front. Then, it was Perttu Lindgren who added a third and Drew Shore marked the 4-1. The Belarusians reacted promptly as Danila Karaban and Alexander Pavlovich cut the deficit within a minute.
Enzo Corvi netted another one to bring Davos' first place hopes alive again. But Alexander Pavlovich denied them by taking Minsk back within a goal on the power play.
The Belarusians had a successful start at the tournament with a 7-4 win over Team Canada. The Swiss team lost their opening game in Group Cattini to Team Canada 3-4.
Minsk has directly qualified for the semifinals scheduled for Friday, 30 December. HC Davos will face Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg in the quarterfinal on Thursday evening. In the first quarterfinal, Team Canada will face HC Mountfield.
In the semifinals Lugano will play either HC Davos or Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg, while Dinamo Minsk will take on the winner in HC Mountfield vs. Team Canada encounter.
Group Cattini standings: HC Dinamo Minsk – 3 points (two games played; 11-9 goal difference), HC Davos – 3 (2; 8-8), Team Canada – 3 (2; 9-10).
