THREE POINTS EACH FOR LIPSETT, SALAMONE; AMERICANS MOVE TO 2-0 WITH WIN

CALGARY, Alta. – Taylor Lipsett scored twice and added an assist and Alexi Salamone had a goal and two helpers as the United States stayed undefeated at the 2011 World Sledge Hockey Challenge with a 6-2 win over Japan on Monday afternoon.

The victory moved the Americans to a perfect 6-0 against Japan all-time at the World Sledge Hockey Challenge, including a victory in last April’s bronze medal game.

Nikko Landeros and Kevin McKee finished with a goal and assist each for the U.S., which led 3-0 after one period and 4-2 after two before Lipsett’s two goals capped off the scoring in the final 20 minutes.

Jimmy Connelly had the other goal for the Americans.

Mamoru Yoshikawa and Daisuke Uehara scored for Japan, which has just a single win in 15 games in four appearances at the tournament – a 1-0 preliminary round win over Norway in 2009 in Charlottetown, P.E.I.

After two early power plays produced nothing for the Japanese – although Uehara did hit the post behind American netminder Steve Cash – Connolly opened the scoring on a power play and two more U.S. goals made it 3-0 in a span of 3:21.

The Americans will look to wrap up a perfect preliminary round when they face Canada on Wednesday night (7 p.m. MT), while the Japanese will aim for win No. 1 against Norway in the Wednesday matinee (noon MT).

Penalties:
   06:40 USA 7 Taylor Lipsett (Interference)
   08:51 USA 8 Greg Shaw (Roughing)
   11:48 JPN 10 Takayuki Endo (Holding)
   18:03 JPN 24 Satoru Sudo (Teeing)

Penalties:
   02:24 USA 23 Rico Roman (Teeing)
   08:57 JPN 24 Satoru Sudo (Holding)
   13:29 JPN 10 Takayuki Endo (10-Minute Misconduct)
   13:29 JPN 10 Takayuki Endo (Checking from Behind)
   15:08 USA 5 Brad Emmerson (Interference)

Penalties:
   03:56 JPN 24 Satoru Sudo (Interference)
   06:40 JPN 13 Mamoru Yoshikawa (Roughing)
   16:48 USA 19 Taylor Chace (Holding)