DAVOS, Switzerland – Derek Walser scored the winner as Canada opened up the Spengler Cup with a 5-4 victory over HC Vitkovice Steel of the Czech Republic on Thursday.

Glen Metropolit had a goal and an assist, while Byron Ritchie, Micki DuPont, and Alexandre Bolduc also scored for Canada.

Rudolf Huna, Peter Huzeka, Roman Szturic and Lukas Kucsera scored for Vitkovice.

Vitkovice’s Filip Sindelar was the busier of the two goaltenders, stopping 37 of 42 shots in the losing effort. Canada’s Chris Mason made 18 saves.

After Ritchie’s goal tied the game at 4-4 in the third period, Walser beat Sindelar off passes from Anthony Stewart and Metropolit to pull Canada ahead for good.

Bolduc opened the scoring with an unassisted goal at 2:30 of the first period, but the lead was short-lived as Kucsera responded with a goal for the Czech club team.

Canada took the lead again on Metropolit’s goal, and Vitkovice replied to take a 2-2 tie into the first intermission.

The second period proved costly for Canada when a turnover gave Vitkovice a 4-3 lead 11 seconds after DuPont tied the game 3-3 on a power play.

Canada plays host HC Davos on Saturday.