Canada holds off HC Davos to open Spengler Cup with win
Matt D'Agostini scores winner for tournament's defending champs
Matt D'Agostini's goal early in the second period stood as the winner as Canada held off HC Davos 2-1 on Wednesday in both teams' opening game at the Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland.
Zach Boychuk opened scoring for Canada, while Zach Fucale made 24 saves for the win.
Thierry Bader ended Fucale's shutout with less than two minutes remaining in the second period and Anders Lindback stopped 34 shots for HC Davos.
"Overall, I think we played well for our first game here," said Canada head coach Kevin Dineen.
"They are a good team with a lot of experience and they applied some pressure late in the game. We were able to stick with it and come away with a win."
WATCH | highlights of Canada's tournament-opening win:
HC Davos hosts what is considered the world's oldest hockey tournament annually.
Although most participating teams in the event are club teams from around Europe, Hockey Canada puts together a team of free agents and other Canadians playing abroad to compete.
Canada has won the tournament 15 times since first taking part in 1984, including the past three years.
Neither team scored on the power play. Canada was 0 for 6 and HC Davos was 0 for 4.
Canada's next game will be Friday against German club Nurnberg Ice Tigers
"There were a lot of positives in the game and a lot of things we can take in to Friday's game," said Dineen. "We'll also look to improve in a few areas as we progress through the tournament, but it's nice to get the first win."