By Gary Anderson

December 5 - Canada overcame South Korea to set up another clash with rivals the USA in the final of the World Sledge Hockey Challenge ©Getty ImagesThere were no surprises on semi-final day at the World Sledge Hockey Challenge in Toronto as the United States and hosts Canada came through their matches to set up a mouth watering final on Saturday (December 7).

The US took to the ice against Russia determined to put the memory of yesterday's round-robin stage defeat to Canada firmly out of their minds and get another potential crack at their North American neighbours.

The Paralympic champions took a while to get going though against a Russian side buoyed by their 9-1 trouncing of South Korea the day before.

After a scoreless first period, the deadlock was broken as Josh Pauls broke away to fire past Mikhail Ivanov in the Russian goal before a strike from Paul Schaus doubled the Americans' lead.

A Declan Farmer goal was preceded by a second of the night for Pauls as the US took a 4-0 lead and killed the game as a contest.

Nikolay Terentyev, who bagged four goals against the South Koreans, managed a late consolation for the Russians but it was much too little and much too late as the US sealed their place in the decider.

"I think start to finish our guys played pretty well in front of me," said US goaltender Steve Cash.

"[Russia)] didn't get too many good chances and we finished ours."

Will the US be celebrating victory in Toronto on Saturday night? ©BongartsWill the US be celebrating victory in Toronto on Saturday night? ©Bongarts
























After shipping nine the day before, the South Koreans would have been expected to not prove too big an obstacle for world champions Canada to overcome but they put up a tremendous showing to only go down by two goals to one.

Despite a flying start which saw them go 2-0 up inside three minutes, courtesy of Anthony Gale and Kevin Rempel, the hosts struggled to break through the South Korean rearguard thereafter.

With Man-Gyun Yu in sparkling form in the South Korean goal - making 25 saves - a second period strike from Young-Jae Cho put the game firmly back in the balance but the Canadians managed to see it through and take the win.

"Look at the shots, we have to bury our chances and that's something we've worked on a lot," said Canadian head coach Mike Mondon, who praised the efforts of South Korea while rueing his side's profligacy in front of goal.

South Korea will be looking to avoid a whitewash against Russia in the bronze medal match ©BongartsSouth Korea will be looking to avoid a whitewash against Russia in the bronze medal match ©Bongarts

























Mondin's opposite number in Saturday's final, Jeff Sauer believes both sides are evenly matched and the crowd are in for an exciting match.

"The bottom line is we've got to put pressure on them right away," said Sauer.

"They have five or six players who are very good but they're much like we are.

"We have five or six that are very good and then from that point on it's kind of an even roster.

"Hopefully, we come to play from the start of the game and if we do then it should be an exciting game."

The US Canada decider will be preceded by the bronze medal game between Russia and South Korea, with the latter still looking for a first win of the tournament.

The gold medal game will be broadcast live on Canadian network TSN.

For live updates and information visit the IPC Sledge Hockey Twitter feed and Facebook page.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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