Canada eliminated from Spengler Cup after 4-2 loss to Straubing Tigers

By The Canadian Press on December 30, 2024.

Team Canada's Curtis Mckenzie, front, fights for the puck against Straubing's Marcel Brandt during the semifinal game between Team Canada and Germany's Straubing Tigers at the 96th Spengler Cup ice hockey tournament in Davos, Switzerland, Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Til Buergy/Keystone via AP

DAVOS, Switzerland – Canada was denied a chance at its first Spengler Cup title since 2019 after dropping a 4-2 decision to Germany’s Straubing Tigers in semifinal action on Monday.

Straubing’s Joshua Samanski scored the winning goal midway through the third period as the Tigers advanced to Tuesday’s final against either host HC Davos or Swiss rival HC Fribourg-Gottéron.

Mike Connolly had three assists for the Tigers, while JC Lipon had a goal and an assist. Tim Fleischer clinched the victory with an empty-net goal.

Danier Carr had both goals for Canada, which was leading 2-1 before Lipon’s goal midway through the second period tied the game.

Colten Ellis made 40 saves for Canada while Zane McIntyre stopped 30 shots for Straubing.

Canada had defeated the Tigers 6-3 in the preliminary round.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 30, 2024.