2015-16 National Sledge Team

CANADA BLANKED BY U.S. IN SLEDGE DEVELOPMENT SERIES

DAVID BRIEN

MONTREAL, Que. – Adam Kingsmill (Smithers, B.C.) made 15 saves in his first-ever sledge hockey start, but Canada’s National Sledge Development Team couldn’t find the back of the net in a 2-0 loss to the United States on Saturday at the Défi sportif AlterGo.

The Canadian loss evens the series at a win apiece, with the third and deciding game set between the North American rivals for Sunday afternoon (1:30 p.m. ET) at Aréna Howie-Morenz.

Kingsmill, who played minor hockey this season for the Smithers Storm, didn’t look out of place in his international debut, keeping the game scoreless well into the third period.

Defence ruled the first period, with the teams combining for just three shots on goal – the Americans had a 2-1 advantage in the opening 15 minutes.

The only two power-play opportunities – one for each team – highlighted the second period, but Kingsmill turned away all seven shots he faced and American counterpart Griffin LaMarre was two-for-two, sending the game to the third period still without a goal.

Kyle Zych finally broke through for the U.S. just shy of the midway mark of the third period, picking up a loose puck in the corner before cutting to the net and roofing a shot on the short-side of Kingsmill.

Noah Grove added insurance with 90 seconds to go; Zych sprung Grove on a breakaway, and he beat Kingsmill with a pretty under-the-sled deke for the 2-0 goal.

The Americans finished with a 17-6 advantage in shots on goal.