BRIDGEWATER, Nova Scotia — Declan Farmer (Tampa, Fla.) scored twice and Steve Cash (Overland, Mo.) made 10 saves as the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team defeated Russia, 6-2, here today at the 2016 World Sled Hockey Challenge.
With the win, the U.S. is now 2-0-0-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L) in tournament play. Team USA will finish preliminary round play at 6 p.m. ET on Wednesday (Jan. 20) against Canada with live streaming coverage provided by FASTHockey.com.
“It was a slow start but we reacted well and earned a couple hard-working goals,” said Jeff Sauer, head coach of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team. “Now, we can get ready for Canada on Wednesday.”
The U.S. opened the scoring 6:02 into the first period when Kevin McKee (Chicago, Ill.) collected the puck along the right boards and fired a shot that beat Russia goaltender Mikhail Ivanov high glove-side. Josh Pauls (Green Brook, N.J.) was credited with the assist.
Russia evened the score, 1-1, with 2:26 to play in the period when Nikolai Terntev’s shot beat Cash from alone in front.
Dan McCoy (Cheswick, Pa.) regained Team USA’s lead 3:39 into the middle frame when he collected a pass from Adam Page (Buffalo, N.Y.) at center ice, skated in alone, and beat Ivanov blocker side.
Brody Roybal (Northlake, Ill.) gave the U.S. a two-goal lead two minutes later when he finished a passing sequence that started in Team USA’s own zone. After receiving a breakout pass from Farmer, Roybal skated into Russia’s zone and dropped the puck back to McKee who skated to the left of the net before sending the puck back to Roybal on the right side where he lifted the puck over Ivanov.
Farmer made it 4-1 at the 8:50 mark with a shorthanded tally by breaking up Russia’s attack at the blue line, skating the length of the ice, and finishing on his own rebound.
Russia’s Maksim Kuzminykh cut Team USA’s lead to two 2:23 into the final stanza when he pushed in a rebound attempt. Farmer made it 5-2 five minutes later by finishing a pass from Roybal for his second goal of the game. Page scored with one minute remaining to account for the 6-2 final.
2016 World Sled Hockey Challenge • Team USA Schedule
Jan. 17-23 – Bridgewater, Nova Scotia – Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre
Date Opponent Time (ET)
Sun., Jan. 17 Korea W, 8-1
Mon., Jan. 18 Russia W, 6-2
Wed., Jan. 20 Canada 6:00 p.m.
Thurs., Jan. 21 Semifinal 1:00 p.m.
Semifinal 6:00 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 23 Third-Place Game 12:00 p.m.
Championship Game 4:00 p.m.
NOTES: Dan McCoy (Cheswick, Pa.) was named the U.S. Player of the Game … Team USA outshot Russia, 29-12, and finished 2-for-2 on the penalty kill … For the complete box score, click here … Declan Farmer (Tampa, Fla.) leads the tournament in goals (5) and points (7) through two games … Follow @USAHockeyScores for in-game updates. Join the World Sled Hockey Challenge conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #WSHC.
