LABONTÉ LEADS THE WAY FOR CANADA IN WIN OVER NORWAY

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – Canada’s National Sledge Team has won back-to-back games at the 2009 World Sledge Hockey Challenge. But Wednesday night’s 1-0 win over Norway wasn’t easy by any stretch.

Canada held off a furious attack by Norway throughout the third period to move to 2-0 at the event, locking up a berth in Saturday’s gold medal game. Canada outshot Norway 17-4 in the battle of arch-rivals. With the loss, Norway drops to 0-2 and needs help on Thursday, the final day of round-robin action.

Following a scoreless first period, Canada’s captain, Jean Labonté (Hull, Que.), opened the scoring at 5:14 of the second period. The goal came after a goal-mouth scramble in front of Norwegian goaltender Roger Johansen. Billy Bridges (Summerside, P.E.I) and Brad Bowden (Orton, Ont.) earned assists on Labonté’s goal, which was Canada’s third power-play goal of the tournament.

Norway had several scoring chances, the best of which came late in the second period when Tommy Rovelstad had the puck in the slot with all the time in the world, but fired it high over the net.

Canadian goaltender Paul Rosen (Thornhill, Ont.) made four saves for the shutout, his second in as many days.

Canada is atop the standings at 2-0, with Japan and the United States at 1-1, followed by Norway in last place at 0-2. Canada concludes its round robin on Thursday night against Japan (7 p.m. AT).