Canada wins Spengler Cup

Canada skated to a 2-1 win over Russian club Salavat Yulaev Ufa on Monday in the final of the Spengler Cup hockey tournament in Davos, Switzerland.

Kirby Law and Ryan Keller scored in the second period for Canada, which won the competition for the first time in four years after posting a perfect 4-0 record in the round robin.

Alexander Perezhogin scored the lone goal for the Russians against veteran Canadian goalie Curtis Joseph.

Canada has appeared in seven of the last eight championship games, winning the Spengler Cup in 2002 and 2003.

Canada's Spengler Cup roster consisted mainly of Canadian-born players currently playing in Europe and NHL prospects.

"It's not absolutely the best team Canada can put together, but these guys are just as proud to wear the Canadian sweater as the top guys," said coach Sean Simpson. "They got their chance to show what they can do."

Law opened the scoring at the seven-minute mark of the second period, whacking the puck over the goal-line after Russian goaltender Alexander Eremenko trapped it against the goalpost.

The goal was allowed after being reviewed by the video replay officials, but the Russians argued the play should have been called before Law scored.

"They were hoping for the whistle and we were hoping there wouldn't be a whistle," said Law, who plays for Servette Geneva in the Swiss league.

Perezhogin tied the score on the power play midway through the period, but Keller scored the game-winner a minute later, his shot rebounding off the end boards and hitting Eremenko before crossing the goal-line.

"We worked very hard toward this," said Joseph, a member of Canada's 2002 Olympic gold medal team. "Any time you win it becomes a fond memory and this is one of my fondest memories.

"It's a really nice tournament at a great time of year and you can't get a better setting than Davos."

The Keswick, Ont., native also said he's ready to return to the NHL.

"I know in my own heart that I can play at the high level I expect and that's important," he said.

Overall, Canada has won the Spengler Cup 11 times (1984, 1986, 1987, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2007) since first taking part in the tournament in 1984.

The Spengler Cup, held annually since 1923, is the oldest professional international hockey tournament in the world.