WORLD SLEDGE HOCKEY CHALLENGE OPENS WITH UPSET

Charlottetown, P.E.I. – Japan has pulled off the first upset of the 2009 World Sledge Hockey Challenge, slipping by Norway 1-0 on Tuesday afternoon at the CARI Complex in the tournament’s opening game.

Kazuhiro Takahashi scored the lone goal of the game at the 6:55 mark of the third period, with the assist going to Daisuke Uehara. Mitsuru Nagase made nine saves to earn the shutout in the Japanese net.

Japan finished fourth at the 2009 IPC Sledge Hockey World Championship, losing the bronze medal game to Canada, and went winless at the 2008 World Sledge Hockey Challenge.

Japan and Norway also met on the first day of the 2008 WSHC, with Norway skating away with an easy 8-0 win. The Norwegians have won back-to-back silver medals at the World Sledge Hockey Challenge.

Japan will face the United States on Wednesday (4 p.m. AT), while Norway will take on Canada (7 p.m. AT).