2017-18 National Para Hockey Team

LAVIN LEADS CANADA TO WIN TO EVEN PARA SERIES

JASON LA ROSE

MONTREAL, Que. – Zach Lavin (Airdrie, Alta.) scored a goal and set up another, helping Canada’s National Para Hockey Development Team square its three-game series with the United States at a game apiece with a 2-1 victory Saturday night at the Défi sportif AlterGo.

While Lavin did his damage in the first two periods, Canadian goaltender Tyson Rietveld (Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.) was the story in the third, making 11 of his 18 saves over the final 15 minutes when Canada was outshot 12-1.

Coming off a 2-1 loss in the series opener Friday, Lavin gave the Canadians their first lead of the series late in the first period, finishing off a set-up from Antoine Lehoux (Thetford Mines, Que.).

He was the playmaker in the second, earning the primary assist on the 2-0 goal from Jacob LeBlanc (Moncton, N.B.) with 4:31 left in the middle frame.

Erik Knotts pulled the Americans back within one just 1:24 into the third period, but Rietveld was unbeatable from there, getting the Canadians even in the series.

The North Americans rivals will finish the series Sunday afternoon (11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT).

The Défi sportif AlterGo is an international event that brings together elite and up-coming athletes with all types of disabilities. Each year, more than 5,000 athletes from 20 countries compete during seven days in Montreal and on the South-Shore.