Canada’s National Para Hockey Team won silver for the 10th consecutive time at the Para Cup, falling once again to the United States, this time by a score of 2-0.
The team lost on home ice on Saturday night, as the tournament returned to the west coast’s Dawson Creek for the first time since 2007. The gold medal game on Dec. 6 was played at the city’s Ovintiv Events Centre, and earlier in the day, China won bronze in the tournament.
American forward Declan Farmer led the tournament in goals with nine. Canadian captain Tyler McGregor was second, scoring six.
Farmer also recorded nine assists to lead the tournament in points, finishing with 18. McGregor added three assists for a total of nine points, ranking second overall.
“Our forecheck is our bread and butter, and when we were strong on the forecheck we were a relentless team. We forced a lot of turnovers and created scoring opportunities from the forecheck, and we are thrilled with that. Moving forward, consistency and execution in big moments will be a key for us,” said McGregor, an Ontario native, during a post-game debrief. “By the time March rolls around we will be ready to perform in Milan (at the Paralympics) and represent Canada to the best of our ability.”
The last Canadian team to defeat the Americans in the Para Cup did so in 2013.
The States’ domination extends to the Paralympics, where they have won gold since 2010. Canada did not place in Vancouver that year, but won last won gold at the previous games in 2006.
“Now, the real season starts when we gather again in Calgary in January. The next few months are going to be a lot of fun because our players and staff now how close the Paralympics are, and we have two months to prepare and be ready to represent Canada,” said Boris Rybalka, the team’s head coach.
Eight teams will be divided into two groups in Milan, Italy, this March. Canada’s first hockey game at the Paralympics is scheduled for March 7 against Slovakia. The team will also face off against Japan and the Czech Republic in the first round.
