2016 World Sledge Hockey Challenge

WESTLAKE LEADS CANADA TO GOLD MEDAL GAME

WENDY GRAVES

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – Greg Westlake (Oakville, Ont.) scored twice, Liam Hickey (St. John’s, N.L.) and Adam Dixon (Midland, Ont.) added a goal and an assist each, and Canada’s National Sledge Team shut out Norway 6-0 to advance to the gold medal game of the 2016 World Sledge Hockey Challenge.

Tyler McGregor (Forest, Ont.) and Bryan Sholomicki (Winnipeg, Man.) also scored for Canada. Brad Bowden (Orton, Ont.) picked up two assists.

Canada outshot Norway 26-6. Corbin Watson (Kingsville, Ont.) picked up his 18th career shutout with the team.

Kissinger Deng made 20 saves for Norway.

Canada will play for its ninth gold medal on Saturday (4 p.m. AT) against the United States. The two teams have met five times before in the final game, with the U.S. winning three of them.

After a scoreless first period, a five-goal second period changed the game completely; in particular, three goals in 3:30 all but sealed Canada its spot in the gold medal game.

Hickey scored his first goal for Canada’s National Sledge Team 15 seconds into the period. After his initial shot was saved by Deng, he circled down low with the rebound and then fired the puck in from the bottom of the left circle.

Minutes later Dixon went low glove side with a shot from the slot.

And only 1:04 after that, Westlake outfought two Norwegians players for the puck below the goal line and fed McGregor, who, with Deng out of position, had an open net to shoot into from just below the bottom of the right circle.

Canada continued to cruise.

Hickey outraced two defenders down the wing and centered to Westlake for an easy one-timer just past the midway mark of the period.

Sholomicki then scored one of the prettiest goals of the week, flicking the puck behind him off a nice pass from Dixon.

Westlake’s second goal of the game – off a pass from below the goal line from Bowden – was the only one scored in the third period.

Canada has now won all 11 meetings between the teams at the tournament. Eight of those wins have been shutouts.

Norway will play Korea for the bronze medal on Saturday (12 p.m. AT).