2017-18 National Para Hockey Team

RED HOLDS OFF WHITE, WINS SLEDGE CAMP FINALE

JASON LA ROSE

CALGARY, Alta. – Dominic Cozzolino (Mississauga, Ont.) scored the winner late in the first period, and Red held off a late push by White to earn a 2-1 victory in the final intrasquad game Saturday at Canada’s National Sledge Team selection camp.

Red earned a split of the intrasquad series – White got a 3-2 win Wednesday – and handed White its first loss. Both teams finished camp with identical 3-1 records, including two wins apiece over Korea.

The scoring started early; Billy Bridges (Summerside, P.E.I.) cut into the slot and snapped a quick shot past the blocker of Red netminder Adam Kingsmill (Smithers, B.C.) to out White up 1-0 just 2:19 in.

Greg Westlake (Oakville, Ont,) needed just 18 seconds to reply for Red, roofing a shot over the short-side shoulder of Kris Dutkiewicz to tie the game.

Cozzolino provided the final goal at 12:48 of the first, going to the net to bang a Steve Arsenault (Spruce Grove, Alta.) rebound past Dutkiewicz and put Red ahead to stay.

Both teams swapped goaltenders after the first period, with Dominic Larocque (Quebec City, Que.) replacing Kingsmill and Corbin Watson (Kingsville, Ont.) taking over for Dutkiewicz.

Both netminders were solid in the second period, making five saves apiece, but Larocque starred in the third.

White held a one-sided 8-2 advantage in shots in the final frame and Larocque was up to the task, making more than one point-blank stop to preserve the one-goal advantage.

With camp done, 21 players will be named to Canada’s National Sledge Team and take a big step towards PyeongChang, South Korea, and the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games next March.