QUISPAMSIS, N.B., -- Jack Wallace (Franklin Lakes, N.J.) scored twice as the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team skated to a 5-2 victory over Canada on Friday night at the Qplex in Quispamsis, N.B., in pre-tournament action ahead of the 2023 Para Hockey Cup.
“We had a couple sloppy moments, but I liked a lot of what we did, and a lot of players played well today,” said David Hoff (Bottineau, N.D.), head coach of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team. “Overall, I thought it was a solid effort to start this trip out.”
Declan Farmer (Tampa, Fla.) opened the scoring 9:28 into the contest, collecting a pass from Josh Misiewicz (La Grange, Ill.) before cutting across the crease and capitalizing on a wrist shot to put the U.S. up 1-0. At the 12:03 mark, David Eustace (Stoneham, Mass.) extended the Team USA lead to 2-0. With just 1:17 to go in the opening frame, Canada’s James Dunn scored off a faceoff, making it a one-goal game to round out the first.
Misiewicz tipped home a Josh Pauls (Green Brook, N.J.) shot from the point 1:20 into the middle period to put Team USA up 3-1. At the 6:43 mark, Farmer found Wallace in the slot, who picked up a tally on a one-timer to put the U.S. up 4-1.
GAME PHOTOS
Tyler McGregor made it a 4-2 game for Canada at the 1:43 mark of the third while on the power play. Wallace answered for the U.S., picking up his second tally on a breakaway to give Team USA a 5-2 lead that would hold for the remaining 9:42 of the contest.
The U.S. kicks off preliminary round play at the Para Hockey Cup on Sunday (Dec. 3) against Czechia, with opening faceoff set for 11 a.m. ET at the Qplex. The game will be streamed live here.
NOTES: The U.S. was 0-1 on the power play, while Canada was 1-1 … The U.S. outshot Canada 25-10 … Jack Wallace was named U.S. Player of the Game.
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