2016 World Sledge Hockey Challenge

LATE GOALS HELP CANADA EDGE KOREA AT WSHC

DAVID BRIEN

BRIDGEWATER, N.S. – Tyler McGregor (Forest, Ont.) had a goal and an assist in the final 5:04, helping Canada’s National Sledge Team blank Korea 2-0 on Monday night at the 2016 World Sledge Hockey Challenge.

McGregor set up Ben Delaney (Ottawa, Ont.) late in the third period to finally open the scoring, and added a goal of his own into an empty net in the final minute to keep Canada’s perfect record intact, and set up a first-place showdown against the United States on Wednesday night (7 p.m. AT).

Canadian netminder Dominic Larocque (Quebec City, Que.) made eight saves for the shutout, but it was Korean counterpart Man-Gyun Yu who stole the show with a 21-save performance.

Canada outshot Korea 12-4 through the first two scoreless periods, which included four Canadian power plays and a 52-second 5-on-3 advantage late in the second, but Yu kept the game 0-0 through 30 minutes.

The offensive onslaught continued in the third period, with Canada racking up 11 shots in the final frame, but it took until McGregor found Delaney alone in front for a shot that made its way under Yu to give the Canadians the lead.

Benefitting from an offensive zone face-off in the dying seconds, Korea pulled Yu in favor of an extra skater, but a blocked shot from McGregor sent him in on a breakaway that clinched the Canadian victory.

Canada finished goalless on five power-play opportunities, while the Koreans failed on their lone attempt.

Korea will look to get its first win Wednesday afternoon against winless Russia in the round-robin finale for both (noon AT).