THIRD PERIOD NORWAY COMEBACK CAN’T STOP THE UNITED STATES

LONDON, Ont. – The United States improved its preliminary round record at the 2011 World Sledge HockeyChallenge to 2-1 with a 4-2 win over Norway inside the Western Fair Sports Centre on Wednesday afternoon.

Both teams were hoping to add another three points to the standings after losing to Canada earlier in theweek, but the Americans were able to set the tone quickly in this game, with Tim Jones scoring just 18seconds into the opening period.

Jones helped keep up that pace for the Americans, adding an assist to another goal less than three minuteslater from Adam Page, who scored this third of the tournament.

The United States started the second with a 2-0 lead, doubling that score by the time the period was done. Nikko Landeros notched one into the back of Norway’s net at 12:49, while Alexi Salamone adding anotheron a powerplay in the last minute of the middle frame. American goaltender Steve Cash helped his teammaintain a strong lead as the period wound down, handling a sudden burst of energy from the Norwegians bymaking four stellar glove saves.

Norway carried that intensity into the third, splitting the score in two with Helge Bjornstad making it4-1 at 7:51 and Thomas Jacobsen narrowing the gap to 4-2 midway through the period. But the last ditch effortby the Norwegians just wasn’t enough and the Americans were able to hold onto their two-goal lead until thefinal buzzer sounded.

Player of the game honours went to Tyler Carron of the United States and Helge Bjornstad of Norway.

Penalties:
   11:23 USA 21 Alexi Salamone (Interference)

Penalties:
   03:41 NOR 6 Martin Hamre (Holding Opp. Stick)
   06:37 USA 21 Alexi Salamone (Teeing)
   16:17 USA 15 Nikko Landeros (High Sticking)
   19:03 NOR 3 Rolf Einar Pedersen (Elbowing)

Penalties:
   None