| U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team Tops Russia, 1-0, in Gold Medal Game of Paralympic Winter Games |
| Josh Sweeney Scores; Steve Cash Stops Six Shots |
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(File photo from USA Canada in Amherst earlier this year)
SOCHI, Russia – Josh Sweeney (Phoenix, Ariz.) scored the game-winning goal in the second period, allowing the U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team to skate past Russia, 1-0, in the gold-medal game at the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.
With the victory, Team USA becomes the first team to win back-to-back gold medals in the Paralympics. The gold medal is the third for the U.S. since 2002.
The Americans struck for the contest’s only marker at 9:28 of the middle frame when Sweeney converted after forcing a turnover in the offensive zone. Following a collision by two Russian players, Sweeney picked up the loose puck just inside the blue line and streaked in on Russian goaltender Vladimir Kamantcev. Sweeney deked to his left before sliding the puck back to his right and placing a shot over Kamantcev’s glove and under the crossbar.
Team USA played a strong defensive game throughout, limiting Russia to just six shots on goal while killing both Russian power-play opportunities. Goaltender Steve Cash (Overland, Mo.) came up with a pair of quality saves on dangerous Russian chances in the final stanza to hold Russia off the board.
Notes: For today’s box score and photos, click here … Goaltender Steve Cash posted his third shutout of the 2014 Paralympics and his eighth career shutout in the Paralympics … Team USA’s captain isAndy Yohe, while its alternate captains are Taylor Chace and Josh Sweeney … The youngest player on the roster is Brody Roybal, who turned 15 years old in May and is making his debut on a U.S. National Team. Declan Farmer turned 16 years old in November … The oldest player on the squad isAndy Yohe at 35 years old … Four members of the team have served in the U.S. military. Jen Lee is active duty in the U.S. Army. Rico Roman is a U.S. Army veteran, while Paul Schaus and Josh Sweeney served in the U.S. Marine Corps … Dan Brennan (Colorado Springs, Colo.), director of sled and inline national teams for USA Hockey, is serving as the general manager of the 2014 U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team … Jeff Sauer (Madison, Wis.) is the head coach of the 2014 U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team, while Guy Gosselin (Grafton, Wis.), American Development Model regional manager for USA Hockey, is serving as assistant coach for the U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team … Additional staff members include team physician Mike Uihlein (Grafton, Wis.), athletic trainerMike Cortese (Boynton Beach, Fla.) and equipment manager Joel Isaacson (Houghton, Mich.).
2014 Paralympic Winter Games
Game Schedule for U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team March 8-15 – Shayba Arena – Sochi, Russia |
