Davos win sends Canada into semis

DAVOS, SWITZERLAND – Canada is off to the semifinal round at the Spengler Cup and didn’t have to lace up its skates Friday to cement the berth.

Canada had the day off but received a bye to the semifinals after H.C. Davos defeated Adler Mannheim 6-2 in the final preliminary round game for both teams.

Davos rallied from a 2-0 deficit to earn the victory, which gave Canada (1-1, four points) top spot in its division and a bye to the semifinal round.

Mannheim (1-1, two points) opened the tournament with a 2-1 overtime victory over the Canadians and would’ve clinched first in the conference with a win against the Swiss club.

Davos (1-1, two points) dropped a 5-0 decision to Canada on Thursday, which relegated it to the quarter-final round regardless of the outcome against Mannheim.

HC Vitkovice Steel defeated Fribourg Gotteron 2-1 on Friday to finish atop the other group with four points and receive a bye to the semifinal round.

On Saturday, Mannheim will face Fribourg Gotteron in one quarter-final game, while Davos will take on Salavat Yulaev UFA in the other.

The winners advance to the semifinal round Sunday against Canada and HC Vitkovice Steel.

The semifinal victors battle for the tournament championship Monday.