Spengler Cup: A rare setback for Canada missing out on its entry

Canada slumped to a three-goal deficit they couldn’t overcome in the Spengler Cup opener on Monday, losing 3-2 at the hands of HC Sparta Prague, who were placed top of the Katini group.

Canada won’t be wrong on Tuesday as they wrap up their preliminary round against hosts HC Davos.

It saw Canada snap their group stage winning streak with the Spengler Cup at seven matches, with their most recent loss coming in the preliminary round on December 26, 2016 against Dinamo Minsk.

Michał Rebic scored two goals for Prague. He opened the scoring with 1:49 on the clock in the first half before seeing Daniel Pribel double his lead 30 seconds later. Rebic came back with 7:20 left to play in the second to make it 3-0.

Brett Connolly put Canada back in the game with two goals later in the second period. Thomas Gregoire caught two assists while Cody Iken and Daniel Carr each had one assist.

However, penalties were conceded by Connolly and Tyler Ennis in the final eight minutes, wasting valuable time for Canada in their bid to tie the game.

This is the first edition of the tournament since 2019. The tournament was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Canada is the defending champion and has been crowned in four of the past five editions.

In the other match on Monday, Ambri-Piota took Örebro HK 5-2 in a duel from Torriani’s set.