WEST VALLEY CITY -- With its eye on a possible first-ever medal in world sled hockey competition, the United States suffered a disappointment 3-0 loss to North American neighbor Canada in Wednesday's nightcap of the 2000 World Ice Sledge Championships at the E Center.
However, Team USA can right itself with a victory over Japan in Thursday's 7 p.m. matchup.The loss dropped the United States to a record of one win and two losses -- identical to Japan's mark -- with the two teams tied for fourth in the six-team standings. However, USA has an edge in having scored seven goals -- one more than Japan -- in three games in as many days of tournament play.
Tonight's faceoff between the two could go a long way in determining which will play for the bronze medal in Saturday's round of medal action.
Team USA has to hope for a strong showing against Canada, since the Americans concluded round-robin play Friday afternoon against defending Paralympic champion Norway, the only team still undefeated and untied in the weeklong tournament.
Canada's Lou Mulvihill opened score with a goal nine minutes into the contest, while Billy Bridges scored the Canadians' second goal 28 seconds into the second 15-minute period. Herve Lord added the third and final goal for Canada off of Pat Griffin's second assist of the game.
NORWAY 3, SWEDEN 1: The Norwegians solidified their hold on first by handing Sweden its first tourney loss. Norway's took an early 1-0 lead on Erik Sandbraathe's power-play goal, with Sweden adding a goal by Jan Edbom in the opening 15-minute period. Norway added a pair of goals in the third -- the game-winner by Eskil Hagen and an insurance score on an unassisted goal by Atle Haglund.
JAPAN 4, ESTONIA 0: Japan blanked winless Estonia for its first tournament victory, as Taimi Shiba scored two goals and teammates Toshifumi Takeuchi and Mamoru Yoshikawa added a score each.