QUICK START LEADS CANADA TO WIN OVER NORWAY

CALGARY, Alta. – Billy Bridges (Summerside, P.E.I.) scored twice and added an assist for the second night in a row, helping Canada stay undefeated at the 2011 World Sledge Hockey Challenge with a 5-2 win over Norway on Monday night.

Bridges scored twice in the first 4:14, sparking the Canadians to their second win in as many games at the WinSport Canada Athletic & Ice Complex and setting up a first-place showdown with the United States on Wednesday night (7 p.m. MT).

Brad Bowden (Orton, Ont.) and Adam Dixon (Midland, Ont.) each recorded a goal and an assist, while Anthony Gale (Brampton, Ont.) also put his name on the scoresheet for Canada, which led 4-2 after a wild first period. 

Gale’s goal – the eventual game-winner – was the 500^th for Canada’s National Sledge Team since coming under the Hockey Canada umbrella in 2004.

Morton Vaernes and Rolf Einar Pedersen scored the goals for Norway, which dropped its second in a row after a 5-1 setback at the hands of the United States on Sunday.

The Norwegians, three-time silver medallists at the World Sledge Hockey Challenge, will face Japan in a battle for third place in the preliminary round on Wednesday afternoon (noon MT).

Penalties:
   06:35 CAN 29 Graeme Murray (Holding)
   07:17 CAN 18 Billy Bridges (Interference)
   08:10 NOR 9 Morten Vaernes (Roughing)
   18:02 CAN   (Too Many Men)
   18:29 NOR 9 Morten Vaernes (Holding)

Penalties:
   05:13 CAN 15 Scott Karrasch (Teeing)
   08:39 CAN 5 Kevin Rempel (Teeing)
   18:56 NOR 85 Thomas Jacobsen (Teeing)

Penalties:
   04:58 CAN 7 Marc Dorion (Unsportsmanlike Cnd.)
   11:28 CAN 9 Anthony Gale (Roughing)
   13:05 NOR 85 Thomas Jacobsen (Holding)