CANADA EDGED BY U.S. IN SLEDGE DEVELOPMENT SERIES

LONDON, Ont. – Jordan Cullum (Burlington, Ont.) scored for the lone Canadian goal as Canada’s National Sledge Development Team fell 3-1 to the United States on Thursday night in the middle contest of a three-game series.

The U.S. also took the series opener on Wednesday, earning a 2-1 overtime victory over the hosts.

After the U.S. took the lead on a power play goal by Vlad Lundquist late in the first period, the Canadians came out firing in the second, outshooting the Americans 6-1 in the frame.

But the lone U.S. shot came just 12 seconds into the period off the stick of Tim Jones, and gave the Americans a two-goal advantage heading to the final 15 minutes.

This time it was Canada’s turn to manage just a single shot on goal in the period, but Cullum got the Canadians on the board, with help from Chris Cedarstrand (Okotoks, Alta.) at the 5:46 mark, making it a one-goal game.

There would be no Canadian comeback, however, as Chris Douglas restored the two-goal U.S. lead and capped the scoring less than five minutes after Cullum’s goal.

Jonathan Derry (West Pine Ridge, Man.) got the start in the Canadian goal, before leaving with an injury with just over two minutes to go in the third period and giving way to Dustan Hamar (Edmonton, Alta.)

Kyle Huckaby went the distance in the American goal, making nine saves for his second win in as many nights.

The teams wrap up the series Friday night, with a 7:30 p.m. ET puck drop at the Western Fair Sports Centre.