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U.S. National Sled Hockey Team Wins World Championship In Overtime

By USAHockey.com, 05/04/19, 12:45PM MDT

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Roybal scored 5:08 into overtime to give U.S. its fourth gold medal in event

Brody Roybal scored 5:08 into overtime to lead the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team to the gold medal at the 2019 Para Ice Hockey World Championship with a 3-2 overtime win over Canada. 

"There's no better way to end the season than as world champions," said David Hoff (Bottineau, N.D.), head coach of the 2018-19 U.S. National Sled Hockey Team. "Whatever adversity came our way, we dealt with it and, most importantly, we did it together as a team. This is a win these players and staff will remember forever and I couldn't be prouder of this group."

With the win, the United States finishes the season with an overall record of 10-1-0-1 (W-OTW-OTL-L). The medal gives the U.S. its eighth consecutive medal in the world championship as Team USA has now collected four gold medals (2019, 2015, 2012, 2009), three silver medals (2017, 2013, 2004) and one bronze medal (2008) in tournament play. 

The gold-medal win will be broadcast on tape-delay on NBCSN at 5:30 p.m. ET.

Highlights

Coach Hoff Comments

The game opened with the U.S. in control — outshooting Canada by an 8-1 margin — but unable to convert as the score remained 0-0 through the first 15 minutes of play.

Team USA's first chance came just over three minutes into the game when a bouncing puck found its way to the left post where a pinching Ralph DeQuebec (San Pedro, Calif.) threw a shot off the side of goal. Moments later, a chance from the same spot by Kevin McKee (Chicago, Ill.) was denied by Canada's goaltender, Dominic Larocque.

Just over five minutes into the period, it seemed as though the U.S. went 1-0 when Declan Farmer (Tampa, Fla.) knocked a loose puck in the crease over the goal line, but after video review, the call on the ice stood.

Three minutes later, Farmer again nearly opened the scoring, this time cutting down from the left faceoff dot for a shot towards the near post that was blockered away. 

With 1:43 to play in the frame, U.S. netminder Steve Cash (Overland, Mo.) was called upon with a point-blank save from the game scoreless after 15 minutes of play.

An early powerplay in the middle stanza led to the U.S. continuing its control of play. Its best chance came in the first 30 seconds of the man-advantage when a chance by Jack Wallace (Green Brook, N.J.) from the slot wouldn't go in.

Canada made it 1-0 with 8:24 to play in the frame when Liam Hickey converted on a man-advantage. Cash was able to get a piece of his glove on the initial shot before it fluttered over his outstretched body and into the net.

Just 90 seconds later, captain Josh Pauls (Green Brook, N.J.) evened the score, 1-1. The play started with Chris Douglas (St. Cloud, Fla.) making a difficult stop at the blue line to keep the puck in the offensive zone. Pauls picked up the loose puck, curled along the left faceoff dot and cut towards the crease before lifting a hard right-handed shot into the top-right corner.

One minute later, Farmer had a chance to give the U.S. a one-goal lead when he pounced on a broken play at the U.S. blue line and generated a breakaway opportunity that was denied.

With 4:23 to play in the middle period, a far-ranged wrist shot from Rob Armstrong bounced off Cash's blocker and into goal for a 2-1 Canada lead to enter the second intermission.

The final frame saw the majority of play remain in the neutral zone as both teams pressed for the game's next game.

With 3:26 to play in regulation, Farmer tallied the equalizing goal when a switch-handed effort to the right of the crease saw a quick-wristed effort trickle through Larocque for a 2-2 tie.

The extra frame opened with a flurry of U.S. chances in the first four minutes of play. Farmer had the first effort, when a left-handed shot from above the circles was blockered away. Moments later, Douglas fired a shot towards the same area that was also denied. Roybal then saw a chance at the top of the crease denied.

At the 5:08 mark of overtime, Farmer took control of the puck at the top of the blue line and dished it down low to an unmarked Roybal who skated towards goal, shifted the puck beneath his sled and slid a left-handed shot into goal for the win.

NOTES: Declan Farmer was named the U.S. Player of the Game and, shortly thereafter, also tabbed Best Forward of the Tournament, as selected by the Directorate ... The U.S. outshot Canada, 22-10, went 0-for-1 on the powerplay and 3-for-4 on the penalty kill. For complete stats, click here ... Labatt USA and Toyota are proud sponsors of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team ... The U.S. has now skated in eight straight world championship gold-medal games (4-3, W-L) ... All-time, the U.S. has now captured eight medals in 10 world championships, including three gold medals (2019, 2015, 2012, 2009), three silver medals (2017, 2013, 2004) and one bronze medal (2008) ... For complete coverage of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team, click here.

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U.S. Schedule

Date Opponent Result U.S. Player of the Game Venue Broadcast
April 27 Canada W, 3-1 Noah Grove Ostravar Arena Olympic Channel - Live
April 28 South Korea W, 4-0 Josh Pauls Ostravar Arena Olympic Channel - Live
April 30 Norway W, 10-0 Luke McDermott Ostravar Arena Olympic Channel - Live
May 3 Czech Republic
Semifinals
W, 10-2 Jack Wallace Ostravar Arena Olympic Channel - Live
May 4 Canada
Gold-Medal Game
OTW, 3-2 Declan Farmer Ostravar Arena Olympic Channel - Live
NBCSN (5:30 p.m. ET)

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