2019-20 National Para Hockey Team

CANADA AND U.S. SKATE TO DRAW IN PARA SERIES OPENER

JASON LA ROSE

ELMIRA, Ont. – Billy Bridges (Summerside, P.E.I.) and Rob Armstrong (Erin, Ont.) scored the goals as Canada’s National Para Hockey Team finished in an entertaining 2-2 tie with the United States in the opener of their two-game series Thursday.

In the 100th meeting between the cross-border rivals since para hockey joined the Hockey Canada family in 2004, it was the first game that didn’t have a winner – Canada still leads the all-time series 57-42-1.

Bridges opened the scoring six minutes into the first period, counting his 190th career goal. That stood up until the third period, when the teams opened up the offence.

Brody Roybal needed just 2:07 of the final frame to get the U.S. even, but Armstrong scored with just over six minutes left to restore the Canadian advantage.

That looked to be enough to end Canada’s five-game losing streak to the Americans, but Declan Farmer beat Canadian goaltender Dominic Larocque (Quebec City, Que.) with 64 ticks remaining to force overtime.

Larocque was the story in the extra period, making four point-blank stops.

Auren Halbert (Calgary, Alta.) and Josh Pauls traded goals in the three-round shootout, but the teams could not determine a winner.

The series wraps up Saturday night at the Woolwich Memorial Centre (7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT).