Lost in the shuffle yesterday against outdoor alumni games, U.S. vs. Canada at the World Juniors, and the clash of the titans of Minnesota-Columbus, was the finale of the Spengler Cup. An invitational tournament hosted by Swiss club HC Davos of the NLA and historically comprised of other European teams, the Spengler Cup has expanded into a much more international event with the addition of a Canadian exhibition team in 1984. Since then, the Canadians have won 13 championships. Last year, Team Canada came out on top again. So what of this year?
Armed with a roster of non-NHL/AHL players, consisting of Swiss pros like James Sheppard, Dustin Jeffrey, and Nick Spaling and displaced veterans like Gregory Campbell and Mason Raymond, Team Canada was able to defend its title and take home it’s 14th tourney championship. Facing another NLA squad, HC Lugano, who also sported a talented roster featuring former NHLers James Wisniewski and Maxim Lapierre, Canada came away with a 5-2 victory. HC Lugano found themselves on the wrong side of the championship game for the second year in a row, as they have been unable to slow down the Canadians’ offense.
Montreal Canadiens goalie prospect Zach Fucale, currently buried in the ECHL, had an incredible tournament and capped it off with a 40-save effort in the win. Spaling played a key role with a goal and two assists and former NHLers Andrew Ebbett and Chay Genoway chipped in goals as well.
The Canadians will be back at the Spengler Cup next year with a chance to win their 15th title, the top mark currently held by host HC Davos, but accomplished in nearly three times as many years in the tournament. The Spengler Cup continues to be a great opportunity for players on the outside of pro North American hockey to get a chance to represent their country on the international stage and also show the world that they can still play.
Fucale isn’t exactly “buried”, he’s been posting sub par numbers going all the way back to his junior days. Even his numbers in the ECHL have been nothing to write home about with a below average GAA and SV%. His performance has caused him to slip down the depth chart.
Now saying that, hopefully his performance at the Spengler is the sign of his turnaround and he can regain some of his lost prospect shine.