HOCKEY HEADLINES | Winter Classic, World Juniors, Spengler Cup

By Dean Matheos, Staff Writer

(Photo by Getty Images)

► Winter Classic

• The 2016 NHL Winter Classic kicked off the New Year with the Montreal Canadiens beating their original six rival, the Boston Bruins by a score of 5-1 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, home of Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
• The Bruins were without top players David Krejci due to an injury and Brad Marchand who was serving his first of a three game suspension due to a hit delivered on Senators Mark Borowiecki.
• The Habs were glad to welcome back Brendan Gallagher to their lineup. He is a key piece to his team’s offense which struggled without him. Gallagher registered a goal and an assist in his return. His presence in front of the net was missed.
• While the Habs got one right winger back another one could miss some time. Dale Weise left the game and did not return in the second period.
• The Bruins after a sluggish start came alive in the third but hometown boy Mike Condon was up to the challenge in front of friends and family

► Alumni/Women’s game

• Before the action on January 1st the alumni for each team got together for an entertaining game which saw the Bruins get by the Habs in a 5-4 shootout.
• Just prior to that event the women got a chance to play outdoors in a short minigame between the Boston Pride and Les Canadiennes de Montréal. The final score was a 1-1 tie. 

► World Juniors

• With the preliminary round over,  the Medal round began on Saturday with the following quarter final matchups: Sweden-Slovakia, Russia-Denmark, USA-Czech Republic and Canada-Finland
• With Canada meeting Finland, it was a special game for Canada’s Jake Virtanen and his Finnish roots as he has yet to find the score sheet in this tournament. 
• Switzerland and Belarus matched up in the Relegation round as they were the last place team in their respected group. They will compete in a best-of-three series with the loser being relegated. The Swiss won the first game 5-1. Latvia will replace the loser in the tournament next year when it comes back to Montreal and Toronto.
• Canada was eliminated by Finland with a 6-5 final. Russia squeaked by Denmark 4-3 in overtime. Sweden beat Slovakia 6-0.

► Spengler Cup

• Canada has won the Spengler Cup, defeating H.C. Lugano by a final score of 5-4. This is Canada’s 13th Spengler Cup victory.  

Tags: Alumni game, Boston, featured, Gillette Stadium, Hockey, IIHF, Spengler Cup, Winter Classic, World Juniors