Canada’s nationwide Para hockey crew superior to the Para Hockey Cup remaining with a dominant 6-0 win over China on Friday, establishing a conflict with the USA for gold.
Captain Tyler McGregor led the way in which with a hat trick and an help, together with two power-play targets, because the Canadians peppered goalie Ji Yanzhao with 26 pictures whereas holding China to 6.
Zach Lavin, Liam Hickey and James Dunn additionally discovered the again of the online, whereas Adam Kingsmill posted the shutout for Canada’s third win of the match in Quispamsis, N.B.
Canada took management within the first interval with a 3-0 lead, as McGregor opened the scoring and added a power-play marker after Lavin’s insurance coverage purpose.
McGregor struck once more on the person benefit halfway via the second interval earlier than Hickey and Dunn rounded out the scoring within the third — scoring 35 seconds aside.
“In the direction of the third interval, we began taking part in our model of play, getting pucks over the blue line, in deep and never turning the puck over,” Dunn mentioned in a launch. “[Playing for gold] is a good feeling. With the ability to play within the U.S.-Canada rivalry that you’ve at all times watched on tv as a child is superb.
“We simply need to go on the market and play our model of recreation tomorrow.”
The Canadians are looking for their first gold medal on the match since 2013. The juggernaut U.S. has received seven straight Para Hockey Cup titles, with the final six coming in opposition to Canada.
The ultimate is scheduled for Saturday at 6 p.m. ET.
“We have now seen some constructive spots that we need to see as we proceed to develop, however as we come into the gold-medal recreation we now have to focus in, make sure that we’re current throughout each shift, have a fantastic consciousness of the place the sport is at and guarantee that we’re resilient all through the entire recreation,” assistant coach Greg Eire mentioned.
The Individuals cruised into the gold-medal recreation earlier on Friday with a 6-0 win over the Czechs within the different semifinal — their third shutout on the four-team match.
U.S. Paralympic star Declan Farmer leads the match in targets (7) and factors (14), together with a four-goal recreation in opposition to the Canadians.
Canada will look to keep away from an all-too-familiar outcome after falling to the U.S. in the Worldwide Para Hockey Cup remaining final month in Ostrava, Czech Republic, and the worlds remaining final June in Moose Jaw, Sask.
The Individuals additionally beat Canada for gold on the final two Paralympics.
Canada’s 20-man roster contains a combination of veterans and up-and-coming gamers, together with two members making their worldwide debuts — ahead Jonathan Daigle and goalie Mitchell Garrett.
Whereas Kingsmill has reached the rostrum with Canada earlier than, Saturday’s matchup shall be his first gold-medal recreation in opposition to the crew’s North American rivals. The 23-year-old has stopped 29 of 34 pictures via 4 video games in Quispamsis, with Garrett additionally seeing motion in opposition to the Czech Republic.
“I’m tremendous excited. Should you sleep on a win, you get up on a loss, so we’re all preparing for tomorrow,” Kingsmill mentioned.
Canada roster
Forwards:
- #19 Dominic Cozzolino — Mississauga, Ont.
- #15 Jonathan Daigle — Boucherville, Que.
- #11 Adam Dixon — Midland, Ont.
- #4 James Dunn — Wallacetown, Ont.
- #23 Liam Hickey — St. John’s
- #26 Anton Jacobs-Webb — Gatineau, Que.
- #29 Micah Kovacevich — Edmonton
- #20 Jacob Leblanc — Moncton, N.B.
- #8 Tyler McGregor — Forest, Ont.
- #25 Saoud Messaoudi — Saint-Hubert, Que.
- #9 Corbyn Smith — Monkton, Ont.
- #24 Sam Swafford — Ottawa
Defencemen:
- #61 Rob Armstrong — Erin, Ont.
- #17 Shawn Burnett — McMasterville, Que.
- #2 Rod Crane — Clarksburg, Ont.
- #92 Auren Halbert — Calgary
- #5 Tyrone Henry — Ottawa
- #7 Zach Lavin — Essex, Ont.
Goaltenders:
- #33 Mitchell Garrett — Surrey, B.C.
- #54 Adam Kingsmill — Smithers, B.C.
