March 8: Day 5

While the day’s continuous snow fall interrupted other sports, the U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team had no trouble bussing down to the Gangneung Hockey Center for its final skate ahead of tomorrow night’s Opening Ceremony.

FINISHING TOUCHES
With its first game just three days away, Team USA’s practice included a couple of final tournament touches. Prior to its skate, the team took its official U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team photo. Afterwards, the players went through its equipment check, where their sleds, sticks and equipment were measured by the World Para Ice Hockey committee.

GOALTENDERS UNVEIL NEW MASKS
Entering the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games, U.S. goaltenders Steve Cash (Overland, Mo.) and Jen Lee (San Francisco, Calif.) have each unveiled newly designed masks. Both masks have a Patriotic flair, as the designs and imagery are all done in red, white and blue colors.
    “It’s always fun getting a mask done for the Games,” said Cash, who is competing in his fourth Paralympic Winter Games. “I’ve stuck with a plain white mask since Sochi, so it’s nice having a design again. This year’s mask has a bit more meaning to me, too, as it recognizes Coach Sauer and the ‘Team First’ mentality he instilled in us.”