DELANEY SCORES IN NATIONAL TEAM DEBUT, CANADA BEATS CZECHS IN FOUR NATIONS OPENER

SOCHI, Russia – Ben Delaney (Ottawa, Ont.) scored in his first-ever game with Canada’s National Sledge Team, helping the Canadians to a 3-1 win over the Czech Republic in the opening game for both Tuesday at the Four Nations Tournament.

The game was the first of the 2013-14 season for Canada, which hopes to finish the campaign with a win at the same venue – Shayba Arena, which hosts the Paralympic gold medal game in mid-March.

Greg Westlake (Oakville, Ont.) and Kevin Rempel (Vineland, Ont.) scored the other goals for Canada, which held a massive 26-3 advantage in shots on goal, including 17-0 in the first period.

Billy Bridges (Summerside, P.E.I.) added two assists in the win.

Despite the huge edge in shots in the first period, the Canadians led just 1-0 after one thanks to a power play goal off the stick of Westlake.

The Czechs tied in on a power play of their own just 48 seconds into the third period, on just their second shot of the game, but Rempel restored the lead for Canada just over five minutes later on another man advantage.

Delaney gave the Canadians some breathing room just past the 10-minute mark of the final frame, capping the scoring.

Benoit St-Amand (St-Hubert, Que.) recorded the win in goal for Canada, making just two saves.

The Canadians try for a 2-0 start when they take on Norway on Wednesday (7 a.m. ET/4 a.m. PT) before closing out the preliminary round against the host Russians on Thursday (9 a.m. ET/6 a.m. PT).