CANADA BLANKS SOUTH KOREA AT IPC SLEDGE HOCKEY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

HAMAR, Norway - Canada killed off a string of penalties and got goals from Brad Bowden and Greg Westlake to defeat South Korea 2-0 at the IPC Sledge Hockey World Championship on Monday.

The win improved Canada's record to 2-0 at the eight-country tournament while the Koreans fell to 1-1.

“It was a tight game,” said coach Mike Mondin. “We improved in all areas of our game over (Sunday). We had some chances and we didn't put them in. But we had a real good game in the fact that we killed five penalties and never got on the power play.”

“And on the PK (penalty kill) we dominated the play. We never gave them anything.''

Mondin said his players were “a little frustrated'' at some of the calls.”

“Korea was doing pretty much the same thing and they were getting away with it,” he added.

Corbin Watson stopped nine shots for the shutout. Benoit St-Amand got the start Sunday when Canada beat Italy 3-1.

“We've got two really good goalkeepers and they're competing against each other ... And they're making it real tough for the coaching staff,'' said Mondin.

Through the first seven games of the tournament, there has only be one contest won by more than two goals.

“It's the world championship, so everyone's come here prepared to play and they're competing hard,” said Mondin. “But second to that is every team has improved and it's a testament to how the game of sledge hockey is evolving. It gets better and better and it's real good for the game.”

Added Watson: “It's great to see the competition coming up and everyone getting around the same skill level.”

Canada wraps up pool play Wednesday against host Norway.

Penalties:
   00:15 CAN 18 Billy Bridges (Interference)
   07:44 CAN 29 Graeme Murray (Interference)

Penalties:
   05:07 CAN 23 Kieran Block (Elbowing)
   07:47 CAN 12 Greg Westlake (Interference)
   08:29 KOR 68 Min su Han (Interference)

Penalties:
   13:41 CAN 29 Graeme Murray (Hooking)