Canada going for gold in men’s sledge hockey at Paralympics

GANGNEUNG, Korea, Republic Of (CP) — Billy Bridges lived through the lean years of Canadian sledge hockey, when the privilege of playing for Canada’s national team came with a hefty $15,000 price tag.

“Plus we had to pay for our travel and all our own food. We were eating fast food. We had 4 a.m., 5 a.m. ice times, because that’s all we could afford, the cheap ice,” Bridges said.

Bridges and Tyler McGregor scored two goals apiece as the Canadians dispatched South Korea 7-0 in Thursday’s Paralympic hockey (formerly sledge hockey) semifinals, booking their first berth in the gold-medal game since they won Paralympic gold in 2006.

Canada will face the world No. 2-ranked United States, who defeated Italy 10-1 in the other semifinal.

Canada, which beat the U.S. 4-1 for a record fourth world title last year, has yet to be tested in this tournament, running roughshod over opponents 42-0 through four games so far.

Bridges credits Hockey Canada, which brought sledge hockey under its umbrella in 2004, with raising the level of excellence and professionalism in the program.

“I’m so lucky that I was a part of the team before Hockey Canada took over, because I got a chance to see what they’ve done,” said Bridges, a five-time Paralympian from Summerside, P.E.I.

The Canadian players are as wellfunded as “any amateur athlete” Bridges said, receiving a monthly stipend — or carding — from Sport Canada, money from Own The Podium, plus sponsors.

“I can’t believe I’m a disabled athlete, basically making a living and playing hockey on the greatest stage and having people watch, and doing interviews,” said Bridges, who was born with spina bifida. “Ten-year-old me would never believe this right now, when I realized I was a disabled person, and that I wasn’t going to the NHL. That was always my dream, to go to the NHL and be a big hockey star. And it’s something special to be a part of this now.” The Canadians put on a show at Gangneung Hockey Centre, with Liam Hickey, Dom Cozzolino, and Greg Westlake scoring one goal each. Corbin Watson and Dominic Larocque shared time in net, making a save apiece, as the Canadians outshot South Korea 24-2. Canadian coach Ken Babey would like to have seen more parity in a tournament that saw the Americans also breeze through the first round, outscoring opponents 28-0.

Canada and the U.S. have the youngest teams, each averaging about 27 years old. There are five players over 50 in the tournament, including 61-year-old Japanese goalie Shinobu Fukushima.

Canada had to settle for bronze four years ago in Sochi after losing to the U.S. in the semis. The Americans went on to win gold, with the Russians, who were banned from Pyeongchang due to doping infractions, claiming silver.

McGregor, a former AAA hockey player who lost a leg to cancer, said his team would love to bring hockey gold and glory back to Canada.

“Absolutely, because the past two Games specifically, in Vancouver and Sochi, our team showed up to the Paralympics looking to cap off a triple gold, because our men’s and women’s teams had both left the Games with gold medals,” said the 24-year-old from London, Ont. “It’s different this time around. We might be the only (Canadian hockey) team leaving Pyeongchang with a gold medal. Canadians expect that of us . . . and, as a team, we want to bring home a gold medal.”