Canada advances to semis

DAVOS, Switzerland — Andrew Ebbett scored twice as Canada beat the host club HC Davos 4-1 and advanced to the semifinals of the Spengler Cup on Thursday.

Zach Boychuk and P.A. Parenteau also scored for Canada as the two-time defending champions finished first in their group with a full six points at the pre-Olympic tournament.

Kevin Poulin was solid in goal with 37 saves, allowing only Sam Lofquist’s first-period power-play goal.

“We knew what to expect — it’s here in Davos against the home team in the big, premier game,” said Ebbett. “We just kind of weathered the storm in the first period and we really got our legs in the second and got it going, and we took control in the last two periods.”

Gilles Senn stopped 38 shots for Davos (1-1, three points), which must now play a quarter-final game against Finnish side HPK Hameenlinna today.

Canada will next face the winner of a quarter-final between Mountfield HK and Dinamo Riga.

Canada opened the tournament with a 5-3 win over Mountfield HK on Tuesday.

Kelowna’s Curtis Hamilton scored to give Canada a 2-1 lead in that game, which was also his season debut after recovering from off-season knee surgery.

David McIntyre scored the eventual winner against Mountfield HK while shorthanded in the third period and added an assist for Canada.

Victor Bartley, Mason Raymond and Parenteau, into an empty net, also had goals, and Barry Brust made 31 saves for the win.

Hamilton finished off a nice passing play by lifting the puck over Patrik Rybar’s blocker to put the Canadians in front late in the first period.

Mountfield tied it 2-2 with a goal from Oskars Cibulskis, but then Mason Raymond put the Canadians back ahead with a shot from the point on the power play.

Hockey Canada is using the tournament as a final evaluation before deciding on its Olympic roster in January.