Canada’s Para ice hockey team kicked off their pre-tournament matches with a dominant 8-0 victory over the home team Italy. The Canadian squad took a commanding 2-0 lead in the first period and extended it to 7-0 by the end of the second period. Notably, Adam Dixon, a five-time Paralympian, contributed with a goal and three assists, while Dominic Cozzolino netted a hat trick.
Goalkeeper Adam Kingsmill made six saves to secure the shutout, as Canada outshot Italy 37-6 and converted 2 of 3 power play opportunities. The teams are scheduled to face off again on Friday at 4 a.m. ET.
Canada, the silver medalists from the previous Winter Paralympics in Beijing, will start their official campaign on March 7 against Slovakia, followed by matches against Japan on March 9 and Czechia on March 10. The Canadian team, consisting of 17 members, aims to claim their first Para ice hockey gold medal in two decades at the Milan-Cortina Paralympics.
Veteran player Greg Westlake, who recently came out of retirement, is one of the ten returning players in the Canadian roster. The United States has been the dominant force in Para ice hockey, winning the last four tournaments since Canada’s triumph in Turin in 2006.
The tournament features eight countries divided into two pools, with the defending champions U.S., China, Germany, and Italy in the other pool. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the semifinals, with the medal matches set for March 15.
Tyler McGregor, gearing up for his fourth Paralympics, emphasized the importance of readiness and resilience in facing the challenges of the tournament environment. McGregor highlighted the team’s commitment to overcoming adversity and aiming for the gold medal.
The Canadian roster includes goaltenders Adam Kingsmill from Smithers, B.C., and Corbin Watson from Kingsville, Ont. The defensemen are Rob Armstrong, Shawn Burnett, Auren Halbert, Tyrone Henry, and Mathieu Lelièvre. The forward lineup comprises Vincent Boily, Dominic Cozzolino, Adam Dixon, James Dunn, Liam Hickey, Anton Jacobs-Webb, Micah Kovacevich, Zach Lavin, Tyler McGregor, and Greg Westlake.