And Brody Roybal can’t wait for his United States squad to butt sleds with Canada today to wrap the World Sledge Hockey Challenge (WSHC) in Charlottetown.
“It’s always going to be a great game. We’re pretty evenly matched with Canada and that’s always when it’s most fun,” said Roybal, who’s second on the team and overall in scoring with 10 points. “Canada’s really solid, really fast. It’s going to come down to who’s going to work harder.”
Game time is 4 p.m. at MacLauchlan Arena. The powerhouse United States is shooting for its third straight WSHC gold medal and its sixth consecutive international title.
It beat Canada 2-1 in overtime in the preliminary round to finish 3-0. Then it demolished Korea 8-1 to reach the gold medal game.
Canada finished 2-1 and exploded for five goals in the second period to overcome Norway 6-0 in the other semifinal.
Roybal’s line of Declan Farmer and Kevin McKee has terrorized opponents in the four-team event, racking up 12 goals and 32 points in four games. Farmer scored both goals in the earlier win over Canada.
And Roybal credits his linemates, who he’s been teamed with the past three years, for his success in Charlottetown, which includes seven assists.
“It’s my linemates. Kevin gets me the puck and with Declan scoring goals all the time, (I get lots of assists).”
Canada’s youth movement has paid off in this tournament. Canada, a five-time WSHC winner, hasn’t struck gold since 2013 and hasn’t won Paralympic gold since 2006 in Torino, Italy.
Canada brought younger players to this tournament like 18-year-old Liam Hickey and 16-years-olds Zach Savage and Tyler McGregor to compliment veterans such as Greg Westlake and Summerside native Billy Bridges.
The Americans are the two-time defending Paralympic champs and defending world champions, and have won the WSHC four times including two straight.
But United States head coach Jeff Sauer isn’t resting on his team’s laurels. He knows the revamped Canucks are dangerous.
“They have some younger blood and better quickness in their lineup. It’s good to see and good competition for both teams,” said Sauer, who’s been with the team for its current winning run.
Like Canada, the American team is made up of the best sledge hockey players in the country and how they train when away from the national squad matters when they come together.
“They’ve come back in the best shape since I’ve been here,” Sauer said.
And Brody Roybal can’t wait for his United States squad to butt sleds with Canada today to wrap the World Sledge Hockey Challenge (WSHC) in Charlottetown.
“It’s always going to be a great game. We’re pretty evenly matched with Canada and that’s always when it’s most fun,” said Roybal, who’s second on the team and overall in scoring with 10 points. “Canada’s really solid, really fast. It’s going to come down to who’s going to work harder.”
Game time is 4 p.m. at MacLauchlan Arena. The powerhouse United States is shooting for its third straight WSHC gold medal and its sixth consecutive international title.
It beat Canada 2-1 in overtime in the preliminary round to finish 3-0. Then it demolished Korea 8-1 to reach the gold medal game.
Canada finished 2-1 and exploded for five goals in the second period to overcome Norway 6-0 in the other semifinal.
Roybal’s line of Declan Farmer and Kevin McKee has terrorized opponents in the four-team event, racking up 12 goals and 32 points in four games. Farmer scored both goals in the earlier win over Canada.
And Roybal credits his linemates, who he’s been teamed with the past three years, for his success in Charlottetown, which includes seven assists.
“It’s my linemates. Kevin gets me the puck and with Declan scoring goals all the time, (I get lots of assists).”
Canada’s youth movement has paid off in this tournament. Canada, a five-time WSHC winner, hasn’t struck gold since 2013 and hasn’t won Paralympic gold since 2006 in Torino, Italy.
Canada brought younger players to this tournament like 18-year-old Liam Hickey and 16-years-olds Zach Savage and Tyler McGregor to compliment veterans such as Greg Westlake and Summerside native Billy Bridges.
The Americans are the two-time defending Paralympic champs and defending world champions, and have won the WSHC four times including two straight.
But United States head coach Jeff Sauer isn’t resting on his team’s laurels. He knows the revamped Canucks are dangerous.
“They have some younger blood and better quickness in their lineup. It’s good to see and good competition for both teams,” said Sauer, who’s been with the team for its current winning run.
Like Canada, the American team is made up of the best sledge hockey players in the country and how they train when away from the national squad matters when they come together.
“They’ve come back in the best shape since I’ve been here,” Sauer said.
