SOCHI, Russia, March 13, 2014 /CNW/ - Corbin Watson (Kingsville, Ont.) made 7 saves, but Canada's National Sledge Team couldn't find the back of the net and dropped a 3-0 decision to the United States in a Thursday semifinal at the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.
The loss means Canada will face Norway for the bronze medal on Saturday (5 a.m. ET/2 a.m. PT). It's the third consecutive Paralympics the Canadians and Norwegians will meet for a medal, with the teams splitting the previous two; Canada won gold in 2006, while Norway earned bronze in 2010.
The U.S. and Russia will play for gold on Saturday (noon ET/9 a.m. PT).
Despite outshooting the U.S. 6-3 in the first period, the Americans struck twice in the opening 15 minutes, both off the stick of 16-year-old Declan Farmer.
Just moments after U.S. netminder Steve Cash turned away Billy Bridges (Summerside, P.E.I.) on an in close chance, the puck worked its way down the boards to Farmer, who cut into the slot in front of the Canadian net and, using Greg Westlake (Oakville, Ont.) as a screen, squeezed a shot through Watson.
With time ticking down in the period the young American struck again; taking the puck at the face-off dot, Farmer's wrist shot went up and over Anthony Gale (Brampton, Ont.) and short side on a surprised Watson, who never saw the puck until it was past him.
Despite having back-to-back power plays to open the second period Canada was unable to capitalize with the man advantage, and the U.S. extended its lead even further just moments after the second of those penalties ended.
This time, Farmer was on the set-up side, as he picked up a loose puck on the end boards, circled the Canadian net and fed Josh Pauls, whose shot found its way under a diving Watson for the 3-0 goal.
The third period was goalless, with the Canadians managing just a single shot on goal, which came in the game's final minute.
Canada finished with an 11-10 advantage in shots.
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For full information about Team Canada at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games, please visit paralympic.ca/team-canada.
SOURCE: Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC)
Keegan Goodrich
Media attaché, sledge hockey
SOCHI Cell 011-7-925-403-3678
[email protected]
Alison Korn
Press Chief and para-snowboard media attaché
SOCHI Cell: 011-7-938-454-3162
[email protected]
Martin Richard
Executive Director, Communications & Marketing
Canadian Paralympic Committee
SOCHI cell: 011-7-938-454-3179
[email protected]
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