BRIDGEWATER, Nova Scotia — Josh Pauls (Green Brook, N.J.) scored 7:31 into overtime and Declan Farmer (Tampa, Fla.) and Brody Roybal (Northlake, Ill.) each tallied three points as the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team defeated Canada, 3-2, to win the 2016 World Sled Hockey Challenge.
With the win, the United States has now claimed the World Sled Hockey Challenge title for the second consecutive year and third time in four tries (2012, 2015, 2016).
“It’s always fun to win, especially in a hostile environment,” said Jeff Sauer, head coach of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team. “I thought we won the first period but struggled to find our game until overtime. Give credit to Canada for making a game out of it.”
Roybal opened the scoring 5:11 into the game when he one-timed a pass from Farmer that beat Canada’s Corbin Watson blocker-side. The play started with Kevin McKee (Chicago, Ill.) battling for the puck along the right boards before Farmer collected the puck and found Roybal in the slot for the game’s opening goal.
The U.S. took a 2-0 lead on a power play goal from Farmer with 1:15 left in the period. Halfway through the man-advantage, Pauls collected the puck and sent it back to Roybal who found Farmer near the right hashmark where he fired a wrist shot high glove-side.
After a scoreless second stanza, Canada’s Brad Bowden cut Team USA’s lead to one just 1:05 into the final frame when he bumped in a rebound past Steve Cash (Overland, Mo.). Three minutes later, Ben Delaney scored on a breakaway to even the score, 2-2.
Both teams traded chances over the final 10 minutes of play, but neither could convert as regulation ended, 2-2.
In overtime, the U.S. outshot Canada, 9-0, before Farmer found Pauls in the slot where he ripped a shot in the high right corner for the game-winning goal.
2016 World Sled Hockey Challenge • Team USA Schedule
Jan. 17-23 – Bridgewater, Nova Scotia – Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre
Date Opponent Result
Sun., Jan. 17 Korea W, 8-1
Mon., Jan. 18 Russia W, 6-2
Wed., Jan. 20 Canada OTL, 2-3
Thurs., Jan. 21 Russia
Semifinal W, 2-1
Sat., Jan. 23 Canada
Championship Game OTW, 3-2
NOTES: Steve Cash, who made 16 saves in the victory, was named the U.S. Player of the Game … The U.S. outshot Canada, 26-18, including, 10-0 in overtime … For complete box score, click here … Declan Farmer finished as the tournament-leader in goals (7) and points (13) while Kevin McKee led the tournament in assists (8) … Team USA finished the tournament 4-0-1-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L) … Josh Pauls scored the overtime-winning goal in last year’s World Sled Hockey Challenge title game … The United States has claimed the World Sled Hockey Challenge title four times (2009, 2012, 2015, 2016).
