Canada takes Bronze in sledge hockey finals

In a rematch with Norway, Canada claimed the bronze medal in sledge hockey this afternoon, in a 3-0 score.

Team Canada came back with a vengeance at Shayba Arena after a heartbreaking loss to Team USA on Thursday. They did not allow the Norwegians to dominate the game, even in a scoreless first period.

The game caught fire when forward Brad Bowden scored the first goal 30 seconds into the second period. Canada upped the intensity when Billy Bridges got the second goal during a power play midway through the game. Bridges also scored the final goal during the third period.

Bridges, it should be noted, is the all-time leading point-getter in Canadian sledge hockey.

Canada goal Corbin Watson spent most of the game worry-free, as most of the play occurred near Norway's end of the ice. He finished the game with 10 saves to post the shutout.

Norway's loss today means it is the first time they have failed to medal since sledge hockey was introduced to the Paralympics in 1994. That year it was played in the Norwegian city of Lillehammer.

In other sledge hockey action, the US team won gold in a 1-0 final against the hosts Russia. This makes the US team back-to-back Paralympic champions.

A bittersweet victory to be sure, the Canadian team have no need to feel ashamed. They are a young team with a bright future.

You can watch this game in its entirety below.

Canada's nightmare sledge match in Sochi

Disappointment came for Canada today.

Defending champions Team USA defeated the Canadians in their sledge hockey semi-final 3-0. This loss means Canada is now forced to play for bronze instead of gold.

Sixteen-year-old Declan Farmer scored the game's first two goals during the first period, at 9:12 and 14:04. Joshua Pauls scored the final goal four minutes into the second period, off a pass by Farmer.

Though 11 shots on goal were made, American goalie Steve Cash blocked them all.

An attempted goal made by Canadian Billy Bridges in the final seconds left in the game was called off because teammate Kevin Rempel was in the crease.

It's a bitter defeat for Canada as it wanted to become the first country to sweep men’s, women’s and sledge hockey at an Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Canada will face Norway at Shayba Arena for the bronze medal on Saturday. USA and hosts Russia will play for the gold medal, also to be played Saturday.