Teams, schedule and mode: here’s what you need to know about the 2023 Spengler Cup

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The Spengler Cup

The Spengler Cup is considered the oldest ice hockey team tournament in the world. It was first held in 1923. The guests are invited by HC Davos. The aim of the foundation, founded by the founder of ice hockey enthusiast Alexander Spengler, was “to bring together again in sporting contacts the youth of the nations that were enemies during the First World War”. This is stated in the deed of incorporation. Carl Spengler (†1937 in Davos) was the son of Alexander Spengler, who once made Davos famous as a health resort.

When will the 2023 Spengler Cup take place?

Like every year, the Spengler Cup is held in the ice stadium in Davos between Christmas and New Year. The first matches will take place on December 26, the final will be played around lunchtime on December 31.

These are the participants for 2023

Old friends and new cup contenders are also there this year. With Ambri-Piotta, there is a second Swiss team in addition to HC Davos. The Leventiners want to defend their title from last year.

• HC Davos
  The Graubünden hosts the Spengler Cup and has won it fifteen times. HCD’s last victory dates back to 2011.
• Frölunda HC
  Five times Swedish champions and four victories in the Champions Hockey League – the Swedes are among the top teams in Europe. After their first participation in the Spengler Cup 2021 was canceled due to Corona, they now want to become the first Swedish winner since 1994 and Färjestad.
  

• KalPa Kuopio
  Quite surprisingly, KalPa Kuopio was the winner of 2018. In the penalty shootout, they defeated Team Canada in the final and became the first Finnish team to triumph in the traditional tournament. Now the Scandinavians are traveling to the Landwassertal again.

• HC Pardubice
  The Czech team took part in the Spengler Cup in 1987 and 2007. They now return to Davos to celebrate their 100th anniversary together. Pardubice was also founded in 1923.

• Team Canada
  The team from the motherland of ice hockey belongs to the Spengler Cup, just like HC Davos. The Canadians are record winners and are always among the title candidates. This also applies to 2023.

• HC Ambri-Piotta
  The Leventiners managed to conquer the hearts of the fans during their premiere in 2019. At that time they narrowly failed in the semi-finals. Last year it was enough for the big coup: they won the tournament. And now they want to defend their title.

Spengler Cup 2023 schedule

The game is played in two groups of three:

• Torriani Group: HC Ambri-Piotta (Sz), HC Pardubice (Tsch), KalPa Kuopio (Fi)
• Group Cattini: HC Davos (Sz), Team Canada (Ka), Frölunda HC (Sd)

Tuesday, December 26

• 2.10 pm: HC Ambri-Piotta – HC Pardubice
• 8:15 PM: Frölunda HC – Team Canada

Wednesday December 27

• 3.10 pm: KalPa Kuopio – Loser Ambri – Pardubice
• 20.15 HC Davos – Loser Frölunda – Canada

Thursday December 28

• 3.10 pm: KalPa Kuopio – winner Ambri – Pardubice
• 8:15 PM: HC Davos – Frölunda – Canada

Friday December 29th

• 3.10 pm: 2nd Torriani – 3rd Cattini (Pre-HF 1)
• 8.15 pm: 2. Cattini – 3. Torriani (Pre-HF 2)

Saturday December 30th

• 3.10 pm: 1. Cattini – winner Pre-HF 1
• 8.15 pm: 1. Torriani – winner Pre-HF 2

Sunday December 31

• 12.10 pm: Final

After the group stage, which lasts until December 28, the pre-semi-finals will be played on December 29 and the semi-finals on December 30. The final will take place on New Year’s Eve at 12.10 pm.

How does game mode work?

All three teams meet in the group. This means that a total of six group matches will be played on December 28. The top two teams from the group then qualify for the semi-finals. The two opponents in the semi-finals will consist of the second placed team from the group “Torriani” and the third placed team from the group “Cattini” and vice versa. In the semi-finals, the winner in question meets one of the group leaders. The final will be played on December 31 between the two winners of the semi-finals.

The mascot

Which animal best suits the canton of Graubünden? That’s right, a Capricorn. Naturally, the mascot Hitsch is one of them, who of course wears the colors of the host. He is a crowd favorite, creates a good atmosphere on and around the ice rink and is fun for everyone.

Where can I watch the Spengler Cup?

All games will be shown on SRF Two. Two matches take place per day. Each time at 3:10 PM and 8:15 PM. The final will take place at 12.10 pm.

Last year’s winner

The last edition culminated in an exciting penalty shootout. HC Ambri-Piotta had the upper hand, won the final against Sparta Prague with 3:2 nP and celebrated their first title during their second participation in the Spengler Cup.

Record winner

With their victory at the 2019 event, Team Canada has become the only record winner of the Spengler Cup. The North Americans have won the tournament, in which they have participated since 1984, sixteen times. Just behind is host HC Davos, which has triumphed fifteen times so far.

The winners since 2000

2000: HC Davos
2001: HC Davos
2002: Team Canada
2003: Team Canada
2004: HC Davos
2005: Metallurgist Magnitogorsk (Russ)
2006: HC Davos
2007: Team Canada
2008: HK Dynamo Moscow (Russia)
2009: HK Dynamo Moscow (Russia)
2010: SKA Saint Petersburg (Russia)
2011: HC Davos
2012: Team Canada
2013: Geneva-Servette HC
2014: Geneva-Servette HC
2015: Team Canada
2016: Team Canada
2017: Team Canada
2018: KalPa Kupio (Fi)
2019: Team Canada
2020: no cancellation due to Corona
2021: no cancellation due to Corona
2022: HC Ambri-Piotta

Source : Blick