Kevin Clark with a hat trick, Canada beats Trinec 4-1 to open Spengler Cup

DAVOS, Switzerland – Kevin Clark had a hat trick as the Canadian men’s team opened the 2019 Spengler Cup with a 4-1 win over HC Ocelari Trinec on Thursday.

Kris Versteeg also scored while Zachary Fucale made 27 saves for Canada (1-0-0).

Aron Chmielewski was the lone skater to beat Fucale for Trinec (0-1-0) — a top-tier club team from the Czech Republic.

Petr Kvaca stopped 33-of-36 shots in defeat.

Canada went 2 for 6 on the power play while Trinec failed to score on two chances with the man advantage.

Versteeg opened the scoring at 5:45 of the first period while on a power play.

Clark, who plays for the Rapperswil-Jona Lakers in the Swiss-A league, made it 2-0 with another goal while on the man advantage 2:06 into the second, then added another at 6:59.

Chmielewski cut the lead to 3-1 at 8:32 the second only for Clark to cap his hat trick with an empty-net goal late in the third.

Canada’s next game goes Saturday against HC Davos.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 26, 2019.