BRIDGES SCORES TWICE AS CANADA BEATS U.S. IN EARTHQUAKE-DELAYED GAME

NAGANO, Japan – Billy Bridges (Summerside, P.E.I.) scored both goals, including the game-winner with 15seconds left on the clock, as Canada’s National Sledge Team opened its tournament with a 2-1 victory over theUnited States on Friday morning.

The game was delayed for 10 minutes late in the first period while the Big Hat Arena was inspectedfollowing the 8.9-magnitude earthquake that struck off Japan’s northeast coast.

Canada looked to jump to an early lead thanks to three first-period power plays, but could muster onlythree shots on goal in the frame and the game went to the intermission scoreless.

The scoreless deadlock was finally broken just past the midway point of the second period, with Adam Dixon(Midland, Ont.) and Derek Whitson (Chatham, Ont.) doing set-up duties on Bridges’ 108th career goal, but theU.S. pulled even very early in the third when Nikko Landers beat Canadian netminder Benoit St-Amand(St-Hubert, Que.) with just one second to go in an American man advantage.

The final minute of the third period proved to be the game’s most exciting 60 seconds, as St-Amand made adiving stop on an Alexi Salamone penalty shot with one minute to go, setting up the late-game heroics ofCanada’s top line.

Bridges, Brad Bowden (Orton, Ont.) and captain Greg Westlake (Oakville, Ont.) – the top three scorers innational team history – combined for the game-winning goal as the Canadians beat the U.S., the reigning worldand Olympic champions, for the third time in four games this season.

Canada gets back on the ice for its second game when it faces Japan in a game that faces off at 11:30p.m. ET Friday night.

Penalties:
   00:46 USA 8 Greg Shaw (Elbowing)
   04:11 CAN 18 Billy Bridges (Interference)
   10:54 USA 21 Alexi Salamone (Interference)
   12:53 USA 9 Josh Pauls (Roughing)

Penalties:
   10:50 USA 3 Tim Jones (Interference)
   13:34 CAN 29 Graeme Murray (Holding)

Penalties:
   00:22 CAN 4 Derek Whitson (Teeing)