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Canada and USA Triumph in World Sledge Hockey Challenge Openers
Host nation Canada downs Japan, 8-0, and USA defeats Norway, 5-1. 28 Nov 2011
The Canadian Ice Sledge Hockey Team gathers around the goal, preparing for the game against Italy during the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.
Host nation Canada stormed to an 8-0 victory over Japan and USA handily defeated Norway, 5-1, on Sunday (27 November) to open up the World Sledge Hockey Challenge in Calgary, Canada.
In the first game of the Challenge, Billy Bridges recorded two goals and an assist, and Kevin Rempel and Greg Westlake each netted two scores in Canada’s win – the 100th all-time win for its National Ice Sledge Hockey Team since coming under the Hockey Canada umbrella in 2004.
The Canadians’ first two goals by Bridges and Westlake came during power plays when they had the one-man advantage.
Adam Dixon also scored for Canada, and Kieran Block recorded his first international goal.
Benoit St.-Amand had a shutout in goal, recording eight saves on the day. Japan had just eight shots on goal.
In the second game, Nikko Landeros scored twice and recorded an assist to lead USA to a win.
The Americans scored five times on just 19 shots on goal, as Daniel McCoy, Taylor Lipsett and Greg Shaw also recorded goals.
Morten Varnes had the lone goal for Norway midway through the second period when his team was already down 3-0.
Next up, USA will take on Japan on Monday at 12:00 (MT) and Norway will face Canada in the nightcap at 19:00 (MT).
Related Images
Noritaka Ito #59 (JAP) battles for the puck against Taylor Chace #19 (USA) during the Ice Sledge Hockey Gold Medal Game at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.