GANGNEUNG, South Korea – Declan Farmer (Tampa, Fla.) scored three goals for the second straight game and 10 other players registered at least a point as the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team topped Italy, 9-1, in its second game of the 2017 Para Ice Hockey World Championship here in Gangneung, South Korea.
“I liked the way we started each period and how that carried us throughout the game,” said Guy Gosselin, head coach of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team. “We were able to roll our lines and really give players a chance to shine. We’ll rest tonight, take care of ourselves and be ready to go tomorrow against Germany.”
Team USA (2-0-0-0/W-OTW-OTL-L) will face Germany tomorrow before enjoying a tournament rest day on Sunday (April 16). Puck drop is set for 3 p.m. local (2 a.m. ET) at Gangneung Hockey Centre and will be streamed live at Gangneung2017.com.
For the complete game recap, click here.
U.S. 2017 Para Sled Hockey World Championship Schedule
Date Opponent Local/ET
Thurs., April 13 Sweden W, 7-0
Fri., April 14 Italy W, 9-1
Sat., April 15 Germany 3 p.m./2 a.m.
Mon., April 17 Canada 3 p.m./2 a.m.
Tues., April 18 Norway 11 a.m./10 p.m.*
Wed., April 19 Korea 3 p.m./2 a.m.
Thurs., April 20 Fifth-Place Game 11 a.m./10 p.m.*
Bronze-Medal Game 3 p.m./2 a.m.
Gold-Medal Game 7 p.m./6 a.m.
*Game takes place prior day in U.S.
NOTES: Declan Farmer (Tampa, Fla.) was named the U.S. Player of the Game … The U.S. outshot Italy, 26-12, went 1-for-3 on the power play and 4-for-5 on the penalty kill. For complete statistics, click here … Farmer set a new U.S. record for career points in world championship play with 24 (16-8), surpassing teammate Adam Page (10-12–22) … Labatt USA is a proud sponsor of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team … The 2017 IPC Sled Hockey World Championship is doubling as a test event for the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games and the top five teams will automatically qualify for the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games. … Team USA, the tournament’s defending champion, seeks back-to-back gold medals in the event for the second time (2009, 2012) … Among the 17 players representing Team USA, 12 were members of the 2015 U.S. National Sled Hockey Team that won the 2015 IPC Sled Hockey World Championship. For the complete 2016-17 U.S. National Sled Hockey Team roster, click here … Dan Brennan (Colorado Springs, Colo.), director of inline and sled hockey national teams for USA Hockey, is the general manager of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team. Joining national team head coach Guy Gosselin (Grafton, Wis.) behind the bench is assistant coach David Hoff (Bottineau, N.D.). Additional team staff members include athletic trainer Mike Cortese (Boynton Beach, Fla.), assistant coach Mike Sertich (Duluth, Minn.), equipment manager Joel Isaacson (Houghton, Mich.), and team physician Mike Uihlein (Grafton, Wis.). Cortese, Isaacson, and Uihlein have been staff members for the past four seasons.
