USA blanks Canada 3-0 in sledge hockey semifinals in Sochi
Team USA scored twice in the first period of its sledge hockey semifinal game against Canada on Thursday and didn't look back.
The goals, scored by Declan Farmer, came at 9:12 and 14:04. The U.S. scored again less than five minutes into the second period, its third goal in just four shots. This time it was Joshua Pauls off a pass by the indomitable Farmer, at 16 a sure representative of the American team's youth.
Canada had a chance to come back in the second period after American forward Rico Roman got a two-minute penalty for interference.
But though the Canadians were buzzing, even into the third period, they just couldn't beat U.S. goalie Steve Cash, who stopped all 11 shots on goal — the lowest number of shots by Canada in the tournament. It had 31 against Sweden, 23 against Norway and 19 against the Czech Republic in preliminary play.
In the third period, the Americans kept up the pressure, chasing the Canadians into the corners and pressing them against the boards.
Officials called off a goal by Billy Bridges with just seconds left in the game because teammate Kevin Rempel was in the crease.
Canadian goalie Corbin Watson had a solid third period, blocking five shots in the third period.
Ultimately, however, Canada was unable to knocked the United States out of the tournament, giving the Americans a chance to defend their 2010 Paralympic gold medal.
They'll meet Russia in the finals on Saturday.Canada will play Norway for the bronze, also on Saturday.
