CHACE’S GOAL GIVES U.S. GOLD MEDAL AT WORLD SLEDGE HOCKEY CHALLENGE

CALGARY, Alta. – American captain Taylor Chace scored the game’s only goal nine minutes into the second period as the United States won its second World Sledge Hockey Challenge gold medal with a 1-0 victory over Canada’s National Sledge Team on Saturday night.

The only other American gold at the tournament came in 2009 in Charlottetown, P.E.I., when Chace scored the overtime winner in a 3-2 gold medal game victory over the Canadians.

With game scoreless late into the second period, Chace’s shot along the ice from the point got past Canadian netminder Benoit St-Amand (St-Hubert, Que.), providing the Americans all the offence they would need.

Canada’s best chance came midway through the third period, when captain Greg Westlake (Oakville, Ont.) beat U.S. goaltender Steve Cash, but the puck was cleared off the line by back-checking American forward Declan Farmer as it trickled towards the open net.

The game was a defensive struggle from the very start, as the North American rivals combined for just three shots in the first period, all off the sticks of American shooters. It marked just the second time in tournament history the Canadians had been held without a shot for an entire period.

Canada’s first shot on a goal didn’t come until the 4:35 mark of the second period, a wrist shot from Derek Whitson (Chatham, Ont,) that was easily gloved by Cash.

Overall, the Americans held a 9-8 advantage in shots on goal; the 17 combined shots set a World Sledge Hockey Challenge record for fewest shots by both teams in a single game.

Both teams have medalled at every World Sledge Hockey Challenge – the U.S. won silver last November in Calgary and bronze in 2007, 2008 and April 2011 to go along with its two gold medals, while the Canadians were gold medallists in 2007, 2008, April 2011 and last November in addition to its two silvers.

Penalties:
07:10 CAN 27 Brad Bowden (Interference)

Penalties:
03:35 CAN 7 Marc Dorion (Teeing)
03:52 USA 21 Alexi Salamone (Holding)
12:16 CAN (Too Many Men)

Penalties:
03:13 CAN 12 Greg Westlake (Hooking)
10:39 USA 21 Alexi Salamone (10-Minute Misconduct)
10:39 USA 21 Alexi Salamone (Checking from Behind)