Americans Claim Top Spots at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

Written by Peter Quartuccio

FLUSHING, NY—For the first time in several years, players from the United States finished first in both the Open Singles and Open Doubles division at the 10th Annual Jana Hunsaker Memorial Wheelchair Tennis Tournament in Flushing, Queens. The four day event, which took place between June 10 and June 13, featured athletes from across the globe, including Canada, Turkey, Japan, and perennial tennis power France, but it was the players from the States who reigned supreme, many of whom reaching the top by upsetting favored foreigners. Texas native Stephen Welch turned in a tremendous performance at the tournament. He was seeded 4th in both the Singles and Doubles divisions, but Welch proved to be more than up to the task. His frozen-rope forehands and vicious slices helped him knock off the top seed en route to his Open Singles championship. He and his teammate Anthony Anderson faced similarly long odds in the Open Doubles division, as they were pitted against favored competition throughout. They were undaunted, however, and their victory over the 2nd seeded tandem of Yoshinobu Fujimoto and Masahiro Honma cemented the U.S. sweep. Americans William Eno, Dylan Baggett, and John Frederic shined as well, and each finished first in the Class A, Class B, and Class C Singles divisions, respectively. Not to be outdone, USA’s Emmy Kaiser won the Women’s Open Singles title, and added the finishing touch to a Red, White, and Blue-tinged weekend in Queens.

For more information about adapted sports and events, please visit www.WheelchairSportsFederation.org.

33rd Running of Masonic Fraternity Sponsored Event Easily Ranks Amongst the Best

Written by Peter Quartuccio

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ—Many were on hand as the 33rd Annual Masonic Junior Regional Wheelchair Meet got underway on Saturday, June 5 in South Brunswick, New Jersey. The event was sponsored by the Masonic Fraternity of New Jersey, and co-sponsored by the Tri-State Wheelchair Athletic Association and Wheelchair and Ambulatory Sports USA. The meet saw athletes from across the U.S. compete and continue the legacy of sportsmanship and athletic achievement that has been the calling card of the Masonic Junior Regionals for decades.

As is customary at track and field meets, the events—swimming, weightlifting, table tennis, along with a variety of track and field events—were divided into groups based on gender and class of disability. Seemingly suffering no ill effects from the sprained ankle sustained at his last meet, Xavier Perez put on an incredible display of strength in the weightlifting competition. In his weight class of 52 kg (approximately 115 pounds), he lifted a grand total of 235 pounds in his two lifts, which is more than twice Xavier’s own bodyweight, a remarkable feat to be sure. Alexander Xue also had a terrific meet, shining both in swimming and table tennis. Miguel Jimenez-Vergara picked up where he left off in Edison at the 40th Annual Tri-State Regional, performing well in swimming and several track events. As for the female athletes, they were no less impressive. Caitlin Chaser’s lift total of 185 pounds was tops among all other female competitors, although Jennifer Faes’ 175 was a more than respectable total. Alexandra Kay excelled in her track events as well as in shotput, javelin, and discus. Lynne Ganley continued to be at the top of her game, as she carried the success she had at last month’s Tri-State Regional over to the Masonic meet by finishing first in all of her track and field events and posting several strong times in swimming events.

For more information about this and other adapted sports and events, please visit www.WheelchairSportsFederation.org

Dozens of Disabled Athletes Take Part in Three-Day Event

Written by Peter Quartuccio

EDISON, NJ—Despite somewhat shoddy weather, this year’s edition of the Tri-State Regional Track and Field Competition was one of the finest ever run, and included some sparkling performances by the numerous participants. The event, which was held at Thomas Edison Park in Edison, New Jersey, was sponsored by the JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute, and co-sponsored by the Tri-State Wheelchair Athletic Association and the WASUSA. The competition took place over the course of three days, from Friday, May 21 through Sunday, May 23, and included table tennis, archery, weightlifting, shot-put, discus, javelin, and several track events.

The events were separated by both gender and class of disability, and while all of the athletes performed admirably, a few set themselves apart thanks to their monumental efforts. Colleen Rock had a particularly strong few days in Edison, finishing at or near the top in every event—weightlifting, archery, table tennis, track, and field—in which she participated. Miguel Jimenez-Vergara also dominated, taking first in archery as well as several track and field events. Other standouts included Raymond Martin in archery and field, Stephanie Marquez in discus and track, and Lynne Ganley in track and field. One of the more remarkable performances, however, was by Xavier Perez, a runner who despite spraining his ankle, still managed to post impressive times in the 100 and 200 Meter runs.

Determination and sportsmanship were exhibited by all of the athletes at the 40th Annual Tri-State Regional, and their efforts helped to ensure that there will be a 41st.

For more information about disabled sports and events, please visit www.WheelchairSportsFederation.org.

Two Classic Games Highlight Last Tournament of the Season

Written by Peter Quartuccio

WESTFIELD, MA—A total of 16 sled hockey teams from around the country, including one representing Canada, met at the Amelia Park Ice Arena in Westfield, Massachusetts on April 16-18 to play in what for most clubs was the final major tournament of the 2009-2010 season, the New England Invitational Sled Hockey Tournament.
The teams were split into Junior and Adult divisions, with the Bufalo Junior Sabres and Pennsylvania Hammerheads claiming the Junior division titles, and the latter featuring many 2010 Paralympians, especially in Pool A. Pool B featured some top-notch talent as well, and was thoroughly dominated by eventual champions, the New York Rangers. The Rangers went undefeated at Amelia Park, dismantling their four opponents by a combined score of 29-2, including a 7-1 thrashing of the Connecticut Wolfpack in the Pool B Championship game.

Hot off their dominant showing and first-place finish the previous weekend at the Disabled Hockey Festival in Laurel, Maryland, the Buffalo Sabres were the sure favorite to win the Adult division. The Sabres boasted a total of four Paralympians—Alexi Salamone, Adam Page, Mike Blabac, and Brad Emmerson—and seemed to pick up where they left off the week before, smoking the NEP Wildcats in their first game, 13-3. But for one reason or another, Buffalo’s dominance ended there, as they simply didn’t have the punch they had in Laurel. They battled a tough Ontario squad in their second game, edging past the Canadians 5-3, and in what turned out to be the tournament’s most exciting and well-played game, tied a game Pennsylvania team, 6-6. The PA Center-Pedes seemed due for a good performance, as they were thoroughly outplayed in their first two games of the competition. Returning Paralympians Tim Jones, Bubba Torres, and Jimmy Connelly alongside Junior National Captain Dan McDevitt came up huge in their matchup against Buffalo, with all of them providing major contributions on the ice. Although they were manhandled in their first two games of the tournament (they were outscored by a total of 20 to 6), the Center-Pedes seemed undaunted and undeterred. They played with confidence throughout their game versus Buffalo, with Torres providing the speed, Jones the power, and McDevitt the relentless pressure. Not to be outdone, Connelly poured in three goals as well. Buffalo’s Salamone and Emmerson had excellent games as well, and while the see-saw battle ended in a stalemate, no one can deny the winning qualities of each and every player on the ice.

Buffalo’s opponent in the Championship game at Amelia Park, the NEP Wildcats, had a tough weekend at the Disabled Hockey Festival. Though they played well by and large—thanks in large part to the performances of Paralympians Taylor Chace and Joe Howard—they were soundly beaten by the Sabres several times, prompting doubts as to the team’s legitimacy as a truly dominant squad (the Wildcats had recently won their third consecutive NESHL title and dominated a sled hockey tournament in Queens, New York). They sought to dispel those doubts in Amelia Park, but got off to a decidedly rocky start, as they were trounced by their nemesis Buffalo in their first game, 13-3. They started to turn the tide with their next game, which was a comfortable 10-5 victory against Pennsylvania. The Wildcats’ third game was an out-and-out barnburner with Ontario, who seemed to be able to match the Wildcats’ considerable firepower. Canadian Paralympian Brad Bowden had an incredible 5 goals, but he was matched by Team USA two-time Gold Medalist Joe Howard, who too scored 5 goals. In the end, Howard’s teammates were just a little better than Bowden’s, as the Wildcats bested Ontario 9-7. Next came the game all in attendance expected and anticipated: NEP v. Buffalo, one more time.

The rematch of the Laurel championship game between the two squads was marred somewhat by a brawl that ensued in the final moments of the game. The details of the dustup remain cloudy, but one thing is for sure: the game itself was terrific. A tough, physical, bruising affair, the Pool A Championship game fulfilled expectations and rewarded the immense anticipation. The Wildcats, much to their credit, did not seem intimidated by the team that had utterly dominated them in recent history. They matched Buffalo hit-for-hit, shot-for-shot, and save-for-save. Despite two controversial no-goals—one of which was nothing short of criminal—the Wildcats remained focused and convinced that this Championship was for the taking. They eventually cashed in on the occasionally sluggish play of the Sabres, and took the game and the title, 5-4. No amount of punches thrown or landed in those final seconds could undermine the Wildcats’ achievement who, in their victory, effectively exorcised the demons of Buffalo dominance.

This past sled hockey season has been a remarkable one indeed. The best of the best made their country proud by taking Gold on enemy soil, and the NESHL, the Disabled Hockey Festival, and the New England Invitational Sled Hockey Tournament featured some truly classic games and remarkable performances. The quality of play continues to rise, and sled hockey fans have good reason to anticipate the start of next season.

For more information about adapted sports and events, please visit www.WheelchairSportsFederation.org.

Gold Medalists Return to Sled Hockey Is One of Many Highlights at the 6th Annual Disabled Hockey Festival

Written by Peter Quartuccio

LAUREL, MD—2010 has been a very special year for disabled hockey. In January, EveryBODY Skates New Jersey visited every ice rink in New Jersey in only 54 hours to promote awareness of and opportunities for disabled hockey. Their efforts were chronicled by periodicals on both coasts, including The New York Times and The L.A. Times, and virtually everywhere in between. March saw sled hockey garner probably more attention and anticipation at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympics than at any other Paralympic Games, as teams played to packed houses throughout the competition. And in the Gold Medal game, the United States became the first country to boast two Gold Medal winning sled hockey squads, as the U.S. knocked off Japan and returned to
America World Champions. The 6th Annual Disabled Hockey Festival, which ran from April 8-11, welcomed many of those Gold Medalists back into regional competition. Alexi Salamone, Brian Shaw, Tim Jones, Taylor Chace, Mike Blabac, Brad Emmerson,
and Greg Shaw joined their local teammates once again, and were sometimes pitted against each other. It came as no surprise that the team with the most Paralympians—the Buffalo Sabres—took over the Adult Sled Hockey ‘A’ Group. Buffalo did what no other
sled hockey team has been able to do in seemingly forever: beat the NEP Wildcats. The Wildcats have been used to victory lately, having dominated a March sled hockey event in Queens, New York and winning their third consecutive New England Sled Hockey
Championship in February. But even with returning Paralympian Taylor Chace, they were simply overmatched by Buffalo, whose speed advantage was obvious from the get-go. They beat the Wildcats in the Final, 5-3, and finished undefeated.

While much attention and adulation was given to the Gold Medalists, this event was not dedicated solely to sled hockey. Hundreds of players from the four disciplines of disabled hockey—Special Needs, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Standing Amputee, and Sled Hockey—took part in the four-day festival. Teams from New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, New England participated, and even Canada got in on the action, as their team of able-bodied players took on a standing amputee U.S. team. Despite a whopping four goals by American Mike Logan, Canada won the hardly fought (and occasionally nasty) game, 7-5. Special needs hockey showcased three groups, an ‘A’ Group, a ‘B’ Team, and a ‘C’ Squad, and enjoyed a remarkably high turnout from competitors and spectators alike. Participants of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing hockey games were less numerous, but their passion and skill more than made up for it. The strong turnouts for Special Needs,
Deaf, and Standing Amputee Hockey suggests that, while they may not yet be as popular as sled hockey, they are a growing community that is embraced by players and fans alike.

Many of the sled hockey teams who competed here in Laurel will face-off again in Massachusetts this Friday, April 16-Sunday, April 18 for the Amelia Park Sled Hockey competition, an event that every sled hockey player in America looks forward to—with good reason. If you’re planning on visiting Connecticut or Massachusetts this weekend, don’t pass up the opportunity to watch terrific hockey and meet some amazing people.

For more information about this and other adapted sports events, please visit www.WheelchairSportsFederation.org.

written by Peter Quartuccio
photos by Carter Farmer

Amid the wonderful job done by the volunteers and those in charge of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympics, there was an air of sadness at Whistler during the Closing Ceremony. The ceremony was certainly a festive, not lugubrious, affair, but it was far from the radiant celebration seen at the Opening Ceremony. It was an exhale of sorts, and after nearly a month of intense international competition during the Olympics and Paralympics, Vancouver has earned its respite, and its pride at being the home for all the glory and triumph that has transpired.

Still, the sadness was there. Perhaps it was in the relief, a relief that comes with the completion of a trying task. Or maybe it was in the sudden shift from Vancouver, Canada to the site of the 2014 Winter Paralympics, Sochi, Russia that caused a similar shift in emotion, from familiarity to uncertainty. And within that uncertainty lies a question of comparison: will the Russian fans measure up to the Canadian fans? Canada is the home of hockey, and one of the very few countries that has a very large audience for curling. Rarely, if ever, has there been a Paralympics where such a huge percentage of the competition can truly call the host country home. It is hard to imagine that Russia will do as good a job of embracing Wheelchair Curling and Sled Hockey, sports which at their roots are so intensely followed by and identified with Canada. Canadians came out in droves to cheer each game of both sports, packing the Vancouver Paralympic Centre for Wheelchair Curling and the UBC Thunderbird Arena for Sled Hockey day after day, and night after night. Theirs was a passionate embrace, a genuine and deeply felt love for these sports. The reception that Wheelchair Curling and Sled Hockey received in Vancouver will almost certainly never be topped in future Games until the Paralympics return to Canada.

It’s true that sadness always enters the arena during a Closing Ceremony, but this sadness is tinged with doubt and uncertainty, and with the notion that this may well have been the best venue for the Winter Paralympics. It is sad, but perhaps true: it can only go down from here.

For more coverage of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympics, please visit www.WheelchairSportsFederation.org.

written by Peter Quartuccio
photos by Carter Farmer

As they have for the entirety of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympics, Russian skiers dominated at Whistler Paralympic Park on Sunday, winning a total of 8 Medals in the Cross-Country 1 km Sprint. Russia has amassed 22 Medals in Cross-Country Skiing in these Paralympics—far more than any other country—including 7 Gold Medals. Sergey Shilov won his second Cross-Country Gold in the Men’s 1 km Sitting Sprint, with countrymen Irek Zaripov taking Silver (adding to the 2 Golds he already won in Cross-Country events) and Vladimir Kiselev winning Bronze. Russian Kirill Mikhaylov won his fourth Paralympic Medal on the final day of competition, taking the Silver in the Men’s 1 km Standing Sprint, and Russia made its presence felt again in the Men’s Visually-Impaired 1 km Sprint, when Nikolay Polukhin (along with his guide Andrey Tokarev) won a Silver Medal, his second Medal in Cross-Country. Russian women also performed well in the 1 km Sprint on Sunday. Mikhalina Lysova with guide Alexey Ivanov, and Liubov Vasilyeva with guide Natalia Yakimova won Silver and Bronze in the Visually-Impaired division, respectively. Anna Burmistrova won her second Paralympic Medal by taking home a Bronze in the Women’s 1 km Standing Sprint. Not to be outdone, Canada had its own Gold Medalist in Brian McKeever who, along with his guide Robin McKeever, won his third Gold on Sunday in the Men’s Visually-Impaired 1 km Sprint. Japan too had its Paralympic star shine brightly on Sunday, as Yoshihiro Nitta won his second Gold of these Games by finishing first in the Men’s 1 km Standing Sprint. The United States went Medal-less in the event, with the only one competitor, Monica Bascio, reaching the Semifinals in any version of the 1 km Sprint (she did so in the Women’s Sitting Sprint). The Cross-Country competitions were not kind to the American skiers, none of whom medaled in any Cross-Country event.

The day, however, belonged to the Russians. The tremendous performances by Russian Nordic skiers on Sunday acted as the exclamation point on their brilliant showing at these Paralympic Games.

For more information on the Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympics, please visit www.WheelchairSportsFederation.org.

written by Peter Quartuccio
photos by Carter Farmer

Team USA’s Wheelchair Curling squad provided fans with plenty magic in the Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympics, but the clock struck 12 on the final day of curling competition, as they lost both of their games to finish out of Medal contention. Saturday marked the end of their memorable run in Vancouver, one in which they were arguably the best team for the overwhelming portion of the Paralympic Games. Coming into Saturday, Team USA had a record of seven wins and two losses (only eventual Gold Medalist Canada’s record was better), and their first game of the day was a Semifinal matchup against Korea, a team that the U.S. had already beaten 9-6 earlier in the competition. The chances of winning America’s first Paralympic Medal in Wheelchair Curling were high, and the optimism felt by their fans seemed merited. Team USA started their Semifinal game hot, but Korea tied it up halfway through. At 4-4, Korea tacked on two points, and despite scoring a point late in the game, Team USA fell out of Gold Medal contention with a 7-5 loss. Their Bronze Medal match against Sweden was an equally tight game, with an equally disappointing result. This time, the U.S. began in the hole. They bounced back from an early 0-3 deficit, but were unable to overcome Sweden, who eventually topped the U.S., 7-5. Sadly, it was a case of “win by the sword, die by the sword” for Team USA, whose losses on Saturday very much mirrored their wins, nearly all of which were close, intense, and well-played affairs. After their loss to Sweden, U.S. Skip Augusto “Goose” Perez of Team USA seemed disappointed but not defeated; he recognized that “ups and downs…[come] with the territory,” and remained undaunted by their Medal-less Vancouver campaign, proclaiming boldly “I will take Team USA to the Podium.”

After their last-place finish in Torino in 2006, the U.S. came into these Paralympics a much improved team, and one that was confident it could really be a threat in Vancouver. They were indeed that. The combined efforts of James Pierce, Jacqui Kapinowski, Pat McDonald, James Joseph, and “Goose” Perez gave every team they played a run for their money, and every fan in attendance a game they would remember for quite some time. Seven of their eleven contests were determined by a margin of three points or fewer. They did not take home a Medal, but their brand of exciting and skillful curling gained them many fans, and their tenacity won them respect from admirers and adversaries alike. The state of Wheelchair Curling in the United States looks promising and bright.

For more coverage of the 2010 Winter Paralympics in Vancouver, please visit www.WheelchairSportsFederation.org.

written by Peter Quartuccio
photos by Carter Farmer

Before a somewhat spiteful Canadian crowd, many of whom were playing the part of “Japan fan for the day” thanks to their team’s ignominious early exit, Team USA’s sled hockey team took home the Gold Medal in a 2-0 victory over Team Japan. The U.S. were on enemy soil, and they faced a team that was fast, dangerous, and hot off their country’s biggest sled hockey win on the Paralympic stage. Team Japan made it clear from the onset that they were not merely satisfied with beating Canada and content with a Silver. Team USA was made to earn their Gold Medal against Japan, whose quickness and tenacity were made most evident in the 3rd period. American goalie Steve Cash could not merely rely on his defense in order to gain the win. In previous games, his defensemen often dispatched of potential scoring threats before they were anywhere near the net, but in the final period, “Money”—a nickname he received thanks to his consistently clutch play—was under attack consistently. Japan’s shots, while not always on goal, were continuous, and were it not for some terrific saves, the game might have had a vastly different outcome. Team USA needed their goalie to stand on his head, and that’s exactly what Cash did, stopping all of the shots he faced—including a potentially momentum shifting penalty shot—and extending his streak to 210 consecutive minutes without allowing a goal. The U.S. Sled Hockey team did not trail in any of their five games, and did not allow a goal throughout the competition, a truly amazing feat.

Although many viewed Team USA as the favorites, they had to overcome several obstacles. Firstly, they are a very young team, with only four players over the age of 25. This kind of youth gives the team an advantage in terms of energy and stamina, but it also lends itself to anxiety and immaturity. Fortunately for the U.S., they reaped all of the benefits of their team’s youth and experienced virtually none of its pitfalls. Another challenge that that Team USA had to overcome was the site of these Paralympic Games. Throughout the competition, Team USA faced a highly partisan crowd. Regardless of who they faced, the U.S. found themselves being cheered against, and this only grew as the Paralympics continued. By the time Canada was knocked out of Medal contention, there was even a small smattering of boos in response to chants of “USA.” This too could have shaken the U.S. players, but it seems that they instead relished their role as the men in the black hats, channeling whatever emotions the crowd elicited onto the ice.

Finally, they faced the ultimate task of achieving expectations. This proved to be no doubt the toughest of their challenges. They started off with a decisive but sloppy and uneven win against Korea, and were not overly impressive in their next game against the Czech Republic. (The titanic effort by Czech goalie Michal Vapenka didn’t help their cause.) The team looked better against Japan, and a crop of Team USA players began to emerge as the go-to consistent performers. Taylor Lipsett and Alexi Salamone had already amassed four and three goals each, respectively, and seemed to ooze confidence as they took their shifts. Similarly, Nikko Landeros and Taylor Chace exhibited the requisite physicality and nastiness present in the best defensemen; they dished out crushing yet clean hits, and they played a huge role in keeping U.S. opponents off the scoreboard throughout the team’s Paralympic run.

After their 6-0 rout of Japan, Team USA took the ice for a Semifinal showdown with Norway that was far and away the biggest test they faced. Earlier that day, Team Japan had shocked the nation by knocking Canada out of Gold Medal contention. Upset was in the air, and uncertainty reigned over the proceedings as the referee dropped the puck, for if Team Canada could lose to Japan, a team that was beaten by six goals the night before, then the defending Silver Medalists Norway could certainly upend the Americans. And as the 1st period progressed, that outcome looked more and more plausible. Team USA seemed tentative and nervous, more fearful of suffering Canada’s fate than focused on playing their brand of hockey. Greg Shaw’s 2nd period goal put an end to that doubt. The importance of his goal cannot be overstated, as the team seemed reborn afterwards. Confident, physical, aggressive, Team USA took over the game, and dashed any thoughts of a premature exit from both the minds of the players and the hopes of Canadians everywhere.

Their Gold Medal winning effort against Team Japan was a triumph of perseverance and confidence, a confidence that never mutated into arrogance as it did with Canada. Team USA knew they belonged atop the Victory Podium, but they did not take it for granted, and they did not crumble when opponents pushed them; they simply pushed back harder. They responded to the expectations of their fans, of their country, and of themselves, and took home the Gold; the other supposed “titan” of the sport did not.

As they were throughout their run in the Paralympics, Japan was all class in defeat. They are perhaps the most widely liked sled hockey team, and the genuineness with which they embraced and expressed congratulations to the Americans showed all why they are held in such high regard. Team Captain Takayuki Endo wept as he received his Silver Medal, and received a richly deserved raucous ovation from the thousands in attendance at the UBC Thunderbird Arena. His team achieved what no other Japanese Paralympic sled hockey squad did, and achieved it the right way: with dedication, pride, and honor. No one can ever question Team Japan. They came into Vancouver a wild card, a long shot at best, and left Silver Medalists. Japan will improve, and Norway, Canada, and the U.S. must now make room for and take notice of a new sled hockey power.

With their victory on Saturday, the United States became the first nation to win two Paralympic Gold Medals in sled hockey, with their first coming in 2002 at the Salt Lake City games. On the ice, they embraced and celebrated, giddy with the thrill of victory. Team USA had overcome all and won Gold. They are back on top, and their 2010 Winter Paralympic run has proved that that’s exactly where they deserve to be.

For more coverage of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympics please visit:

http://www.WheelchairSportsFederation.org

written by Peter Quartuccio
photos by Carter Farmer

It is an adage as old as the hills, a warning of consequences and repercussions, and a piece of advice to the vain: “If you’re gonna talk the talk, you better walk the walk.” Team Canada should have taken heed to these words. They talked a great game, speaking with an air of arrogance that put them in a position where they had to win, else face the consequences of their brashness. Prior to the 2010 Paralympic games, Canadian Forward Billy Bridges denigrated the U.S. for their youth, boasting that Canada’s “combined Olympic experience is probably more than the combined age of [Team USA]. They come in with jitters and youth and nerves and we come in with the support of millions.” His teammate Herve Lord dismissed the possibility of the U.S. beating Canada, declaring bluntly that “it’s just not going to happen, us losing to them this year. No way.” Of course, he proved to be right, but not in the way he expected or wanted. The most topical of Canada’s brash remarks, however, was made by Canadian Alternate Captain Bradley Bowden, who spoke—prematurely, as it turned out—of the end of Norway’s reign as a sled hockey power, proclaiming that “[Norway has] been the top dog for years, but they’ve had their day.” Friday night, Norway proved Bowden wrong. Team Norway beat Canada 2-1, winning the Bronze and sending Team Canada home with nothing but anguish and regret.

The 1st period of the game was fast-paced, but largely uneventful: one penalty, no goals. It was in the 2nd, however, when the trend of missed opportunities for Team Canada began. Norway committed three penalties, which gave Canada a 5-on-4 advantage for over a third of the 2nd period. Canada could not cash in on their three power play chances, and despite peppering Norway goalie Roger Johansen with 14 shots over the course of 15 minutes, they ended the period deadlocked at zero. The Canadians finally broke through in the 3rd, as Adam Dixon scored just under three minutes into the period. After that, it all unraveled for Canada.

Shortly after the goal—34 seconds to be exact—Dixon committed a two-minute minor penalty, almost immediately squelching the momentum gained by his goal. Dixon’s penalty was followed by another, then another, and then came the most costly mistake of all: coinciding with penalty on Norway’s Helge Bjornstad, Canada was penalized for Falling on the Puck, which resulted in a penalty shot opportunity for the Norwegians. Canada’s goalie Paul Rosen was irate, throwing his mask on the ice and having to be restrained by his teammates. Perhaps Rosen never really collected himself, for Norway’s Rolf Elnar Pederson beat Rosen to his left, tying the game up 1-1. Canada was clearly shaken up by the goal, and their play showed it. They looked desperate and flustered, almost as if they could not believe losing this game was a legitimate possibility. With 3.6 seconds left in the game, Norway’s Eskil Hagen made that possibility a reality. His wobbly shot deflected off of Billy Bridges and floated above the outstretched arms of Rosen and into the net. The unwitting assistance of a Canadian player in the goal provided the perfect synopsis of the game: Canada beat themselves. Those in attendance at the UBC Thunderbird Arena were shocked. When the public address announcer read Hagen’s name over the loud speakers, you could hear a pin drop, or better yet, a maple leaf fall to the ground. One could wager a hefty sum that no hockey game in Canada was ever so quiet as it was during those final 3.6 seconds following Hagen’s goal

After Norway’s 3-0 loss to Team USA on Thursday night, some of the Norway players met with the media. When the question was posed to Hagen if he felt confident going into the Bronze Medal game against Canada, he responded, “Yes. We’ve beaten them before. We know we can beat them.” Some might call this bragging, but in the words of MLB Hall of Fame pitcher Dizzy Dean, “It ain’t bragging if you can do it.” With his game-winning goal, Hagen backed up his words; Canada could not. The closing moments of their loss gave a perfect example of their false braggadocio. After the face-off following the game-winning goal, Canadian Billy Bridges took a cheap shot on a Norway player in what was presumably retaliation for a hit made on Bridges earlier. By acting the role of tough guy when the game was essentially over, Bridges’ actions exemplified the affected and spurious bravado of Team Canada.

Before the Paralympics began, there was a good deal of speculation among the Canadian media that Canada could sweep the hockey medals, adding a Sled Hockey Gold to those won by the Men’s and Women’s Olympic Hockey teams. Just speculation, it turned out to be; empty words, very much like the empty chatter of Team Canada. Redemption may eventually come for the Canadians in the future, but four years is an awfully long time. The Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympics was their chance to achieve expectations, to live up to the hype of their own making, and to win Gold on their home soil. They blew it.

http://www.WheelchairSportsFederation.org