Team USA Tops Canada, 2-1, at 2017 Sled Worlds
Steve Cash (Overland, Mo.) made 11 saves and Declan Farmer (Tampa, Fla.) scored the game-winning goal to lead the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team past Canada, 2-1, here at the 2017 Para Sled Hockey World Championship in Gangneung, South Korea.
“We had a slow start, but after the first period I thought we took our game to another level and our guys were rewarded with a hard-fought win,” said Guy Gosselin, head coach of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team. “We have a short turnaround here, so we’ll make sure everyone gets their fluids and treatment and be ready to go tomorrow.”
After both teams traded chances early in the opening stanza, Canada took a 1-0 lead when Tyler McGregor tapped in a rebound after the initial save by Cash with 1:31 remaining in the frame.
Nikko Landeros (Johnstown, Colo.) evened the score 6:06 into the middle frame when he converted on a U.S. power play. The play started when Farmer fired a shot from the left circle that hit the side of the net, allowing Landeros to pick up the put, curl around the net and bank a quick backhanded shot off Canadian goaltender Dominic Larocque and into the net for the tying goal.
The U.S. claimed the go-ahead goal 2:39 later when Farmer collected a pass from McKee in the neutral zone, split two defenders and fired a shot past Larocque. Josh Pauls (Green Brook, N.J.) nearly made it 3-1 in the closing seconds of frame but his tight-angle shot rang off the crossbar.
Each team had opportunities to score in the third, including a pair of near-breakaway opportunities for the U.S., but neither team was able to convert. Cash, who finished with five saves in the final frame, made a pair of saves in the final minute of play to seal the U.S. victory.
SOURCE:- http://www.usahockey.com/news_article/show/782005?referrer_id=752796
