Canada gets past archrival Americans 2-0 at Three Nation sledge hockey event
Source: The Canadian Press

ROCHESTER, N.Y. _ Canada's sledge hockey team continued its successful run against the Americans on Thursday.
Greg Westlake scored twice as Canada beat the U.S. 2-0 at the Three Nation exhibition sledge hockey series. The win was the Canadians' third in four meetings against the U.S. after taking two-of-three contests in Toronto last month.
Westlake scored at even strength with 39 seconds remaining in the first period before giving Canada (2-0) the insurance goal in the third on the power play.

“For us, it's a big win because we won't be playing the U.S. until February (at a tournament in Japan),” forward Jordan Cullum said. “We want to have all the momentum going back to play them next year . . . and I think it's good we have that momentum on our side.

“We feel we've got the edge on them now, especially confidence-wise because we have three out of four wins against them. This is a big confidence booster.”
Canadian goalie Corbin Watson stopped eight shots but head coach Mike Mondin said a huge save in the first sparked Canada to the victory.

“Early in the first period we had a real bad line change and they had a three-on-none breakaway,” he said. “Corbin made an outstanding blocker save and that was one of those game-changing plays that a goaltender makes.
“Following that we got our heads back into the game and the guys executed the game plan really well.''
Canada was 1-for-2 with the man advantage while the Americans (0-1) went 0-for-2.
Mondin said Westlake's opening goal was a big one for Canada.

“That deflates a team in the first or last minute of a period,” he said. “That certainly gave us a boost going into the second. American netminder Steve Cash made 23 saves, including 12 in the second when the Canadians outshot their opponents 12-0 in the period.

“I thought we made things uncomfortable for Cash a little bit,” Mondin said. “We were going to the front of the net real hard.” Mondin said the Canadian team knew Cash would come up big in the game but the key would be to maintain steady pressure on him throughout the contest. “It could've easily been a 5-0 or 6-0 hockey game,” Mondin said.

The Canadians are off Friday before finishing up the event Saturday against Japan, a team Canada dismantled 18-0 on Wednesday. Mondin said his team can't afford to look past the Japanese based upon their earlier meeting.
“That's very important and we've learned that in the past,” he said. “You have to be in the moment and can't look ahead.
“This game is history and we have to get ready for Saturday's game.”

Penalties:
08:46 CAN 18 Billy Bridges (Roughing)

Penalties:
01:53 USA 21 Alexi Salamone (Holding)

Penalties:
05:26 CAN 5 Kevin Rempel (Roughing)
13:32 USA 20 Adam Page (Inter. on Goaltender)