Declan Farmer (Tampa, Fla.) scored twice, including his 100th Team USA goal, and Brody Roybal (Northlake, Ill.) added a goal and an assist, to help the U.S. National Sled Team past Russia, 3-0, in the preliminary round of the 2019 Canadian Tire Para Hockey Cup in Paradise, Newfoundland.
"I like how hard we played," said David Hoff (Bottineau, N.D.), head coach of the 2019-20 U.S. National Sled Hockey Team. "We need to keep that intensity going into tomorrow's game. I think we could have been sharper in some areas, but overall I was pleased with the outcome and pleased with how we came together as a team."
The U.S. (1-0-0-0/W-OTW-OTL-L) returns to action tomorrow when it faces the Czech Republic. Puck drop is set for 10:30 a.m. ET at the Paradise Double Ice Complex and will be streamed live here.
Team USA outshot Russia 5-2 in the first period, but the game was scoreless through the first 15 minutes.
Roybal opened the scoring on a breakaway just over two minutes into the second period. Ralph DeQuebec (San Pedro, Calif.) picked up an assist on the play after dishing the puck up to Roybal from the defensive zone.
Russia had an opportunity to tie the game up with just under 10 minutes to play in the second, but missed just wide of an open net.
Team USA nearly extended its lead with five minutes left in the middle stanza when Josh Pauls(Green Brook, N.J.) carried the puck into the zone and found Kevin McKee (Chicago, Ill.) open at the side of the net, but McKee’s attempt skirted just wide.
Farmer and Roybal combined on a give-and-go with Farmer scoring shorthanded to give the U.S. a 2-0 advantage with just with just 2.7 seconds left in the second period. Team USA outshot Russia by a 7-0 count in the period.
Steve Cash (Overland, Mo.) made back-to-back saves for Team USA midway through the third period to help preserve the shutout.
With just :46 remaining in regulation, Farmer recorded his 100th goal for Team USA to account for the 3-0 final. Noah Grove (Frederick, Md.) earned an assist on the play.
NOTES: Brody Roybal (Northlake, Ill.) was named the U.S. Player of the Game ...The U.S. outshot Russia, 19-4, went 0-for-3 on the powerplay and finished 3-for-3 on the penalty kill ... For complete statistics, click here.
Date | Opponent | TIME (LOCAL/ET)/Result | LOCATION | Broadcast/Stream | U.S. Player of the Game |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sun., Dec. 1 | Russia Preliminary |
W, 3-0 | Paradise Double Ice Complex Paradise, Newfoundland | Livestream | Brody Roybal |
Mon., Dec. 2 | Czech Republic Preliminary |
W, 8-0 | Paradise Double Ice Complex Paradise, Newfoundland | Livestream | Josh Pauls |
Wed., Dec. 4 | Canada Preliminary |
W, 4-1 | Paradise Double Ice Complex Paradise, Newfoundland | Livestream | Rico Roman |
Thurs., Dec. 5 | Czech Republic Semifinals |
W, 8-0 | Paradise Double Ice Complex Paradise, Newfoundland | Livestream | Kevin McKee |
Sat., Dec. 7 | Canada Championship |
W, 2-1 | Paradise Double Ice Complex Paradise, Newfoundland | TSN | Declan Farmer |