2007-08 National Sledge Hockey Team

Game Summary

CANADA FALLS TO USA IN SHOOTOUT IN OPENER OF THREE-GAME SERIES

For just the second time in 11 games during the 2007-08 season, Canada’s National Sledge Team has found itself on the losing end of a game.

Billy Bridges (Summerside, PE) got Canada on the board after just 86 seconds of play, but that would be all the offence they could muster as the USA pulled out a 2-1 win in a shootout on Thursday night in Prince George, BC.

The game was the first of a three-game set in the northern British Columbia city; the teams will play a matinee on Friday (12:30 p.m. PT) before wrapping up the series on Saturday night (7:30 p.m. PT).

Bridges and Greg Westlake (Oakville, ON) continued their hot play early as they hooked up on the game’s opening goal, with Westlake setting up Bridges for his team-leading ninth goal of the year.

But the lead would not even last the period, as Taylor Lipsett pulled the Americans even with just 1:16 to go in the opening frame, beating Canadian netminder Paul Rosen (Thornhill, ON).

Rosen and American counterpart Steve Cash shut the door over the final 30 minutes of regulation and five minutes of overtime, as Rosen turned away all eight shots he faced and Cash stopped all 13 directed his way.

But the Canadians were unable to send the crowd home happy, as Alexi Salamone netted the game-winner in the shootout, giving the Americans their first win in five games against Canada this season.

CAN Roster/Alignement

22 Benoît St-Amand
57 Paul Rosen

11 Adam Dixon
17 Jean Labonté
21 Raymond Grassi
34 Mark Noot

3 Hervé Lord
4 Derek Whitson
7 Marc Dorion
8 Jeremy Booker
9 Dany Verner
10 Shawn Matheson
12 Greg Westlake
18 Billy Bridges
19 Todd Nicholson
20 Steve Arsenault
27 Bradley Bowden
29 Graeme Murray

USA Roster/Alignement

22 Mike Blabac
67 Steve Cash

3 Tim Jones
4 Jim Connelly
17 Mike Hallman
23 Nick Teodoro
44 Chris Manns

5 Brad Emmerson
7 Taylor Lipsett
8 Greg Shaw
20 Adam Page
21 Alexi Salamone
22 Bruce Nelson
25 Bubba Torres
26 Taylor Chace

 

Game Information/Reseignements sur le match
Event/Événement Series vs USA Location/Emplacement Prince George, BC
Date 02/21/08 Arena/Aréna CN Centre
Time/Heure 19:30 Attendance/Assistance -,---
Round/Ronde   Game # 01

 

Box Score/Compte

1

2

3

Final

CAN

1

-

-

1

USA

1

-

-

2

 

Goals/Penalties
First Period/Première période

Goals/Buts :
CAN – Billy Bridges (Greg Westlake) 1:26
USA – Taylor Lipsett (Tim Jones) 13:44

Penalties/Pénalités :
CAN – Adam Dixon (Interference) 1:53
USA – Chris Manns (Delay of Game) 14:20

Second Period/Deuxième période

Goals/Buts :
NO SCORING

Penalties/Pénalités :
CAN – Raymond Grassi (Interference) 8:54
USA – Chris Manns (Hooking) 13:22

Third Period/Troisième période

Goals/Buts :
NO SCORING

Penalties/Pénalités :
NONE

Overtime/Heures supplémentaires

Goals/Buts :
NO SCORING

Penalties/Pénalités :
NONE

 

Goaltenders CAN Paul Rosen
Gardiens de but USA Steve Cash

Shots on Goal Team 1 p 2 p 3 p OT Ttl
Shots on Goal CAN 4 5 6 2 17
Tirs au but USA 3 6 2 - 11

Referee/Arbitre ---
Linesmen/Juges des lignes ---