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March 14, 2006
NR038
TURIN, ITALY – Canada’s Sledge Hockey Team finished 2nd in Group A, and will face Germany in the Paralympic Games semi-finals on Thursday, March 16th. Canada lost 4-1 to Norway, the defending World Champions, in its final round robin game on Tuesday evening at the Torino Esposizioni, despite outshooting its opponent 16-12. Canada finished the round robin with a 2-1 record, finishing behind Norway (3-0) in Group A. A game summary and game report is available at www.hockeycanada.ca
Sledge hockey is the Paralympic version of hockey and, since its debut on the Paralympic program at the 1994 Lillehammer Paralympic Winter Games, it is quickly becoming one of the biggest attractions for spectators at the Paralympic Winter Games. It is fast-paced, highly physical and played by male athletes with a physical disability in the lower part of the body.
Playoff and Medal Round Schedule
March 15th 11:00 (local)/5:00 (ET) Ranking round Germany vs. Sweden
20:30 (local)/14:30 (ET) Ranking round Japan vs. Italy
March 16th 11:00 (local)/5:00 (ET) Semi-final Norway (A1) vs. USA (B2)
20:30 (local)/14:30 (ET) Semi-final Germany (B1) vs. CANADA (A2)
March 17th 11:00 (local)/5:00 (ET) 7th – 8th place
20:30 (local)/14:30 (ET) 5th – 6th place
March 18th 17:00 (local)/11:00 (ET) Bronze medal game
20:30 (local)/14:30 (ET) Gold medal game
MEDIA INTERVIEW REQUESTS: André Brin, Hockey Canada’s Manager, Communications, is with the team during the Paralympics to coordinate media relations. He can be reached by e-mail, at abrin@hockeycanada.ca or by phone at 011 39 335 872 2565. Please take note of the time difference between Italy and your region as you make your interview requests.
Click here for the on-line version of the Canadian Sledge Hockey Team’s Media Guide.
Since Canada’s arrival on the international sledge hockey scene, the National Men’s Sledge Hockey Team has captured gold in four major international events (the 1991 and 1992 World Cups, the 1999 Commemorative Games and the 2000 World Championship). In the nine major events held in Sledge Hockey over the past 15 years, Canada has won a medal in all but two.
Sledge Hockey has been part of the Paralympic Winter Games since 1994. Canada won a bronze medal in 1994, a silver medal in 1998, and finished 4th in 2002.
» 2005-06 Men's Sledge Team site
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