2016 World Sledge Hockey Challenge

BOWDEN TIES RECORD; CANADA WINS

WENDY GRAVES

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – Brad Bowden (Orton, Ont.) has been a defenceman for all of two games now. The position apparently suits him.

Bowden recorded six points – scoring twice and adding four assists – as Canada’s National Sledge Team defeated Korea 10-1 to win its second game in a row. He tied the single-game point mark at the World Sledge Hockey Challenge – with himself and three others. Bowden had three goals and three assists five years ago in a game against Japan.

After scoring only three times in its opening win over Norway, Canada had no trouble getting goals on Monday.

It took a mere 20 seconds for the first one. Bowden took a pass from Greg Westlake (Oakville, Ont.) and fired one in from the slot.

Just past the eight-minute mark Bowden returned the favour, passing off to Westlake for him to send the puck low far side and in.

Fifty seconds later Adam Dixon (Midland, Ont.) picked up the puck in his own zone, drove down the centre of the ice and scored from the slot.

Canada finished the period with three goals in 2:37. Bowden sent a pass to Ben Delaney (Ottawa, Ont.) at the top of the crease for an easy tap in on the power play. Westlake converted on a second chance down low. And Tyler McGregor (Forest, Ont.) brought the puck in from the side boards and scored.

Canada added two more power play goals in the second period. Steve Arsenault (Spruce Grove, Alta.) buried a rebound at the side of the net almost six minutes in. James Dunn (Wallacetown, Ont.) picked up the first assist, the rookie’s first point with the team. And with only 26 seconds left, Bowden snuck in from the blue-line to take a pass from Delaney and score from the bottom of the right circle.

Only 31 seconds into the final period, Bowden sent a cross-ice pass to Bryan Sholomicki (Winnipeg, Man.), who had an open net to shoot into.

Korea finally got on the board midway through the period, with Jong-Ho Jang scoring from the side of the net.

Zach Savage (Westlock, Alta.), with his first goal for the team, completed the scoring with 1:25 left in the game.

Canada outshot Korea 19-9. Corbin Watson (Kingsville, Ont.) picked up the win in net. Oh-Song Kwon took the loss.