CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – Declan Farmer (Tampa, Fla.) netted two goals, including the overtime winner 1:14 into the extra frame, to lead the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team past Canada, 2-1, in overtime here today in its final preliminary-round game at the 2016 (Dec.) World Sled Hockey Challenge at MacLauchlan Arena.
“We did the right things at the right time tonight,” said Jeff Sauer, head coach of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team. “It’s a great team win and we look forward to getting back out there right away tomorrow against Korea.”
With the victory, Team USA (2-1-0-0; W-OTW-OTL-L) earns the top seed heading into semifinal action where it will face Korea tomorrow at 11 a.m. ET with a berth in Saturday’s (Dec. 10) championship game on the line. The matchup will be streamed live at HockeyTV.com, in addition to being updated live on Twitter @USAHockeyScores.
The U.S. had a pair of power-play opportunities in the opening frame, but Canada entered the first intermission with a 1-0 lead off a power play goal by Tyler McGregor with 8:01 remaining in the first period.
Farmer tied the game for Team USA just 45 seconds into the second period off a pass from Brody Roybal (Northlake, Ill.). The play started when Roybal entered the Canadian zone at center ice and slid a behind-the-back pass to a streaking Farmer, who collected the puck and beat Canada’s netminder Dominic Larocque glove side.
Goaltender Steve Cash (Overland, Mo.) was called upon shortly after the tying goal, making a pair of diving saves to keep the score tied, 1-1, after two periods.
The teams traded chances in a wide-open third period, but neither could find the go-ahead goal after sixty minutes of play.
In the overtime period, Farmer took a pass from Nikko Landeros (Johnstown, Colo.) in the neutral zone and broke in alone on goal before tucking the game-winning goal beneath the crossbar just 1:14 into the extra frame. Farmer now leads the tournament with six tallies and 11 points.
Cash finished with 14 saves to earn the victory.
2016 (Dec.) World Sled Hockey Challenge • Team USA Schedule
Dec. 4-10 – Charlottetown, P.E.I. – MacLauchlan Arena
Date Opponent Time (AT)/Result
U.S. Player of the Game
Sun., Dec. 4 Korea W, 4-0 Nikko Landeros
Mon., Dec. 5 Norway W, 8-0 Kevin McKee
Wed., Dec. 7 Canada W, 2-1 (OT) Declan Farmer
Thurs., Dec. 8 Korea (Semifinals) 12:00 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 10 Third-Place Game 12:00 p.m.
Championship Game 4:00 p.m.
NOTES: Declan Farmer was named U.S. Player of the Game … Team USA was outshot 15-9, finished 0-for-2 on the power play and 3-for-3 on the penalty kill … For complete game stats, click here … Farmer is now first all-time with 42 career goals scored for the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team … Follow all U.S. games during the World Sled Hockey Challenge via Twitter by using @USAHockey and @USAHockeyScores, and join the conversation by using the hashtag #WSHC.
