NATIONAL SLEDGE TEAM OPENS 2007-08 SEASON WITH 3-2 WIN OVER NORWAY

Gjovik, NORWAY – Dany Verner (Bois-des-Fillion, QC), Graeme Murray (Gravenhurst, ON) and Raymond Grassi (Windsor, ON) scored for Canada’s National Sledge Team as it defeated the host Norwegians 3-2 on Friday in Gjovik, Norway.

The game was the first of three that will be played between the two teams this weekend. Canada held a training camp in Norway prior to the start of the three-game series.

Verner opened the scoring at 3:12 of the first period, with Murray getting the lone assist. Norway pulled even at 8:06 on a goal by Johan Siqveland, before Murray connected on a powerplay just 47 seconds later to restore the Canadian lead at 2-1. Brad Bowden (Orton, ON) earned a helper on the go-ahead goal.

After a scoreless second period, Grassi sniped the eventual game-winner at 10:36 of the final frame, with the assists going to Shawn Matheson (Chatham, NB) and Mark Noot (Waterloo, ON).

Norway’s Rolf Einar Pedersen cut the lead to 3-2 with just two minutes to go, but the Canadians held on for the victory. Todd Nicholson (Kinburn, ON) was named Canada’s player of the game.

Paul Rosen earned the win in net over Norway’s Roger Johansen.

The two teams will meet again on Saturday and Sunday.

Player of Game: Canada – 19 Todd Nicholson, Norway – 3 Rolf Einar Pedersen

Canada Lineup

3 Hervé Lord
4 Derek Whitson
7 Marc Dorion
9 Dany Verner
10 Shawn Matheson
11 Adam Dixon
17 Jean Labonté
18 Billy Bridges
19 Todd Nicholson
21 Raymond Grassi
22 Benoit St-Amand (G)
27 Brad Bowden
29 Graeme Murray
34 Mark Noot
57 Paul Rosen (G) (starting)

Norway Lineup

1 Roger Johansen (G)
3 Rolf Einar Pedersen
7 Eskil Hagen
8 Stig Tore Svee
9 Morten Vaernes
11 Helge Bjornstad
12 Johan Siqveland
13 Kjell Vidar Royne
16 Knut Andre Nordstoga
17 Loyd Remi Johansen
20 Wiggo Nordseth
22 Audun Bakke

2

0

1

3

1

0

1

2

Goals/Buts :
3:29 CAN Verner (Murray)
8:06 NOR Siqveland (Einer-Pederson)
8:53 CAN Murray (Bowden) PP

Penalties/Pénalités :
3:46 NOR Tore Svee (Interference/Obstruction)
8:44 NOR Pederson (Interference/Obstruction)
11:31 CAN Grassi (T-boning)
13:42 CAN Rosen (Elbowing/Donner du coude)

Goals/Buts :
None/Aucun

Penalties/Pénalités :
4:08 CAN Grassi (T-boning)
12:51 NOR Tore Svee (Holding/Retenir)
14:55 CAN Nicholson (Holding/Retenir)

Goals/Buts :
10:36 CAN Grassi (Matheson, Noot)
12:58 NOR Einar Pederson (Tore Svee, Siqveland)

Penalties/Pénalités :
4:44 CAN Murray (Butt-end)
4:44 CAN Murray (Game Misconduct/Inconduite)
14:29 NOR Bjornstad (T-boning)