Canada’s Para hockey team set to open defence of world title in Buffalo

Canada is gearing up to defend their title at the World Para Hockey Championship, set to kick off in Buffalo, New York this Saturday. Last year, the host Canadians made history by clinching their first gold medal on home ice, after defeating their long-standing rivals, the United States, with a score of 2-1 in the final held in Calgary.

The Canadian team, consisting of 17 players selected by Hockey Canada, will begin their title defense against Germany at the LECOM Harborcenter, the practice facility of the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres. Among the roster are 16 returning players from last year’s championship-winning squad, including standout goalie Adam Kingsmill from Smithers, British Columbia, who made 24 saves in the gold-medal game.

Dominic Cozzolino from Mississauga, Ontario, and Anton Jacobs-Webb from Gatineau, Quebec, will also be back in action after scoring the crucial goals in last year’s final. Head coach Russ Herrington expressed confidence in his team, stating, “Entering the world championship as the defending champions is not something we take lightly. We have continued to grow and develop over the last year, and this roster has a wealth of experience on the big stage.”

While Canada has had recent losses to the U.S. in other competitions, including the Para Cup and the International Para Hockey Cup, the rivalry between the two nations is set to continue at the world championship. Other teams in Canada’s group include China and South Korea, with the U.S., the Czech Republic, Norway, and Slovakia competing in Group B.

The tournament will feature a total of 20 games, with quarterfinals scheduled for May 28, followed by the semifinals and medal matches on May 30 and 31 respectively. All games will be streamed live on USAHockeyTV.com, providing fans with the opportunity to cheer on their favorite teams from anywhere in the world. Canada’s quest for back-to-back world titles promises to be an exciting journey filled with fierce competition and thrilling moments on the ice.