CANADA COMES UP SHORT IN QUEST FOR BRONZE

VANCOUVER _ The Canadian sledge hockey team is leaving the Vancouver Paralympics empty-handed after losing 2-1 to Norway in the bronze-medal game Friday night.

Norway had all the pressure late in the period and scored the game winner with 3.6 seconds left in regulation. A shot from the point by Eskil Hagen was deflected and fluttered over Canadian goaltender Paul Rosen, giving Norway the bronze.

Game notes |

Canada took a 1-0 lead early in the third period on a goal by 20-year-old defenceman Adam Dixon but followed that up by taking three straight penalties.

While short-handed, the Canadians gave up a penalty shot and Norwegian star Rolf Einar Pedersen didn't miss, making the game 1-1 and setting up Hagen's winner.

Canada started off the tournament by winning its first three games but was stunned by Japan in the semifinals on Thursday.

When the two teams met in the round-robin portion of the tournament the host country dominated Norway from the onset, greatly outhitting and outchancing the opposing squad on its way to a 5-0 win.

But the Canadians didn't appear to have that same level of intensity one day after being relegated to the bronze medal game.
Canada outshot Norway 3-1 in the first period, but played a far less physical game than at other points of the tournament.

And much as they did against Japan in the semifinal, the Canadian players failed to hit the net on a number of glorious chances early.
Billy Bridges had a partial breakaway in the first period but his attempt to the blocker side of Norwegian goaltender Roger Johansen sailed wide. Leading scorer Greg Westlake also missed the net on a chance from deep in the slot a few minutes later.

With Norway down a man late in the period, Westlake set up teammate Brad Bowden for perhaps Canada's best chance of the opening 15 minutes. Bowden took a pass at the side of the net and snapped one toward the far post, but Johansen knocked the puck away with his glove.

Canada had a stronger second period, outshooting Norway 14-3, but the teams remained scoreless after two.

Westlake, who was blanked for the first time in the tournament against Japan, was snakebitten again against Norway. He got in all alone on Johansen but couldn't get the puck off the ice and the Norwegian netminder made the save.

Johansen wasn't the only goaltender showing off his glove hand in the second.

Canada's Paul Rosen, suiting up for the national team for the final time in his career, snared a shot by Norwegian defender Tommy Rovelstad midway through the second that appeared destined for the twine, drawing excited gasps from the crowd.

Norway had a more physical second period than Canada, with defenceman Ray Grassi being on the wrong end of a couple of thundering hits. Grassi, nicknamed ``The Ray Train,'' was Canada's biggest and most frequent bodychecker throughout the tournament.

Dixon opened the scoring 2:45 into the third period when he carried the puck into the Norwegian zone, cut to the left circle and fired a shot into the top corner.

Dixon was mobbed by his teammates, particularly captain Jean Labonte who hit him with a bearhug.
The lead was short-lived, however.

Wit Canada playing short handed, Rosen made a great glove save on a shot from the right circle, but the puck sat in the crease. As the Norwegians whacked at the puck, Dixon covered it with his hand and the referee called a penalty shot.

Rosen immediately protested, throwing his helmet down on the ice. He was restrained by Grassi, who tackled him to the ice.
Pedersen, took the penalty shot and outwaited Rosen on the forehand, eventually sliding the puck into the net to make it 1-1.

Games organizers said 5,462 tickets were sold for the game at the University of British Columbia, though there were some empty seats throughout the building.

The Canadian fans who turned out were loud and boisterous, however, waving flags and chanting ``Go Canada Go.''

A couple of dozen fans dressed in Norwegian attire also turned out.

Goals/Buts : 
None/Aucun

Penalties/Pénalités : 
12:50 NOR Helge Bjornstad (Hooking/Avoir accrocher)

Goals/Buts : 
None/Aucun

Penalties/Pénalités : 
05:34 NOR Loyd Remi Johansen (Elbowing/ Donner du coude)
08:54 NOR Stig Tore Svee (Interference/Obstruction)
13:07 NOR Kjell Vidar Royne (T-ing/Charge en T)

Goals/Buts : 
02:45 CAN Adam Dixon (Greg Westlake)
06:08 NOR Rolf Einar Pederson (Penalty shot/Lancer de punition)
14:56 NOR Eskil Hagen (Unassisted/Sans aide)

Penalties/Pénalités : 
03:19 CAN Adam Dixon (T-ing/ Charge en T)
03:56 CAN Marc Dorion (Highsticking/Bâton élevé)
05:16 CAN Billy Bridges (Interference/ Obstruction)