Canada falls to host HC Davos 2-1 to open Spengler Cup

DAVOS, Switzerland – Leonardo Genoni turned away 36 shots as host HC Davos hung on to defeat Canada 2-1 on Friday in preliminary action at the 88th Spengler Cup.

Genoni was at his best in the second period— stopping all 18 shots his way— to keep it 1-0 HC Davos heading into the final period.

Forward Alexandre Giroux put Canada (0-0-0-1) on the board with a power-play goal at 9:10 of the third, however it was not enough to erase HC Davos’ two-goal lead. Defenceman Marc-Andre Gragnani picked up an assist on the goal.

Beat Forster gave HC Davos (1-0-0-0) a 1-0 advantage at 7:34 of the first and Dick Axelsson doubled his club’s lead with a power-play goal at 7:50 of the third.

HC Davos went 1 for 3 on the power play while the Canadians scored once on four chances with the man advantage.

Earlier in the day, Swiss club HC Geneva Servette broke out to a three-goal lead and held on to defeat Salavat Ufa of the KHL 3-2 in round-robin play.

Canada returns to the ice Saturday against the KHL’s Medvescak Zagreb.