CANADA WINS BRONZE AGAINST CZECH REPUBLIC AT SLEDGE HOCKEY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

HAMAR, Norway – Greg Westlake had a goal and an assist to lead Canada in a 2-0 bronze medal victory against the Czech Republic at the sledge hockey world championship on Sunday.

Westlake opened the scoring at 8:08 of the first period and assisted on Brad Bowden's short-handed goal with six minutes left in the second.

Benoit St-Amand earned the shut out for Canada with eight saves. He wasn't especially busy in the game but made two key saves in the third to keep the Czechs off the scoreboard.

Canada outshot the Czechs 23-8.

After falling behind early against the U.S. in Thursday's 2-1 semifinal loss, Canadian head coach Mike Mondin wanted his team to start aggressive.

The team responded with Westlake's first-period goal.

“Something happened during the week that's never really happened to us before – giving up the first goal in the game – but today we wanted to make sure we corrected that and the boys worked hard and we got that done,” said Mondin.

The Canadians also played a more disciplined game, taking just two penalties against the Czechs compared to a costly five against the Americans.

“We played real physical and real aggressive but we were a lot more disciplined,” said Mondin. “It was mental errors that cost us against the U.S. I think the referee let the players decide the outcome of (Sunday's) game. I thought he did a real good job.”

Besides taking home the bronze, Mondin likes that his team's taking home valuable experience, especially for the newest members of the Canadian sledge hockey squad.

“With eight new players on the team, it was a big step for us. So now they have that experience at this level of competition and that's something to look forward to with this group.”

The U.S. will meet Korea in Sunday's final in Hamar.

Penalties:
   08:26 CZE 30 Erik Fojtik (Holding)

Penalties:
   05:24 CAN 7 Marc Dorion (Teeing)

Penalties:
   03:18 CZE 77 David Palat (Slashing)
   06:10 CZE 24 Zdenek Safranek (Holding)
   06:10 CAN 4 Derek Whitson (Roughing)