BRIDGES COMPLETES COMEBACK WITH LAST-MINUTE GOAL

BUFFALO, NY – Billy Bridges (Summerside, PEI) scored with just 42 seconds to go as Canada’s National Sledge Team opened up a two-game series with the United States with a 3-2 win on Friday night at the Amherst Pepsi Center.

Bridges’ goal wrapped up a wild third-period comeback for the Canadians, who trailed 2-0 entering the third period. Greg Westlake (Oakville, ON) and Brad Bowden (Orton, ON) – the other two-thirds of Canada’s top line – also scored, while Benoît St-Amand (St-Hubert, QC) notched the win in goal.

Bowden added two assists for a three-point night, while Canadian captain Jean Labonté (Hull, QC) – celebrating his 40th birthday – set up Bridges’ game-winner.

Playing their first game since claiming the gold medal at the Hockey Canada Cup in Vancouver, BC earlier this month, Canada found itself stymied by American netminder Steve Cash for the first 30 minutes before mounting the comeback.

Westlake got Canada on the board just shy of the two-minute mark of the final frame, and Bowden drew his team even at the 8:31 mark, setting up Bridges’ heroics.

The two teams meet again on Saturday night in Rochester, NY – one year to the day from the closing ceremonies of the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET, and the

Goals:
11:47 USA Adam Page (Jim Connelly, Tim Jones)   

Penalties:
NONE / AUCUN

Goals:
02:35 USA Joe Howard (Bubba Torres, Taylor Lipsett)

Penalties:
NONE / AUCUN

Goals:
01:55 CAN Greg Westlake (Graeme Murray, Brad Bowden)
08:31 CAN Brad Bowden (Greg Westlake, Adam Dixon)
14:18 CAN Billy Bridges (Jean Labonté, Brad Bowden)

Penalties:
07:27 CAN Raymond Grassi (Roughing/Rudesse)
07:27 USA Chris Manns (Roughing/Rudesse)