SOCHI, March 9 (R-Sport) – In a battle between two former Paralympic sledge hockey champions, Canada pounded Norway 4-0 in Sochi on Sunday to secure a spot in the semifinals.
Adam Dixon registered a double, while Dominic Laroque and Marc Dorion added one goal each to bring Canada revenge for its defeat in the bronze medal game in Vancouver four years ago.
“I think I am playing a similar game as I played in Vancouver and in the past four years,” said Dixon who took up sledge hockey at 11 after he lost a leg due to complications from cancer.
“I chip in on offense, I think part of my role on the team is to rush into the zone. I'm getting a little lucky right now and being very successful at that.”
In the other game in Group A, Czech Republic earned a 2-1 shootout win over Sweden 2-1 in a shootout series, leaving both teams and the Norwegians in contention for a semifinal spot.
In Group B, reigning champion United States also booked a place in the seminal after netting three unanswered goals against South Korea.
Defenseman Taylor Chace opened the score in the first period, before Adam Page added two more.
“Once you get the first one you're a lot more relaxed and you're more likely to play to your potential but we have a great team and I'm just happy to contribute any way I can," said Page.
Host nation Russia kept alive its hopes of reaching the semifinals with a 7-0 demolition of Italy that in part made up for Saturday’s 3-2 shootout loss to the Koreans.
The Russians must still beat the U.S. in their final group game Tuesday in order to reach the semifinals.
The final is March 16.
