U.S. National Sled Hockey Team Defeats Czechia 3-0 in Para Hockey Cup Opener

By USA Hockey, 12/03/23, 1:15PM EST

Team USA will play China tomorrow at 10 a.m. ET

QUISPAMSIS, N.B. -- Jen Lee (San Francisco, Calif.) stopped all nine shots he faced and also added an assist, while Brody Roybal (Northlake, Ill.) and Declan Farmer (Tampa, Fla.) each contributed a goal and an assist to help the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team to a 3-0 victory over Czechia here today in its first preliminary round game of the 2023 Para Hockey Cup.

“I really liked how we started and how we played in the first period,” said David Hoff (Bottineau, N.D.), head coach of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team. “We weren’t able to replicate it, but we didn’t give up much either so overall it was a good effort.”

Roybal opened the scoring 3:32 into the contest, capitalizing on a breakaway chance off a feed from Farmer. Just 27 seconds later, Chris Douglas (Saint Cloud, Fla.) put the U.S. up 2-0, firinghome a wrist shot from the slot.

The second period was scoreless for both teams, with goalkeepers Lee and Patrik Sedlacek each making key stops for their sides.

GAME PHOTOS

With 5:06 remaining in the contest, Farmer picked up the final tally of the game off a breakaway, with assists from Roybal and Lee.

The U.S. will take on China tomorrow in its second of three preliminary round games, with opening faceoff set for 10 a.m. ET at the Qplex. The game will be streamed live here.

NOTES: The U.S. did not have a power play opportunity, while Czechia was 0-2 on the power play … The U.S. outshot Czechia 22-9 … Jen Lee was named U.S. Player of the Game.