Canada to play Norway for Para ice hockey international title

Canada will meet Norway in the final of the Torino International Para Ice Hockey Tournament on Saturday (4 March), following respective wins over hosts Italy and South Korea on Friday (3 March).

Canada beat Italy 4-0 at the Palatazzoli arena.

Italy were hit after just 45 seconds of the first period with a goal from Canada’s Dominic Cozzolino, assisted by Tyrone Henry.

Adam Dixon and Steve Arsenault were both expelled from the ice for interference and holding, but when the Canadians returned to full strength Greg Westlake doubled their score.

Italy were on the back foot and continued their decline into the second period. After just 90 seconds, Dixon brought the scoreline to 3-0 with an unstoppable shot.

Four minutes later Tyler McGregor made the most of the powerplay, taking the final score to 4-0.

Italy will see the game as a good test ahead of the 2017 World Para Ice Hockey Championships A-Pool, taking place in Gangneung, South Korea, from 11-20 April.

They will face South Korea in the third place play-off on Saturday.

South Korea v Norway, 1-3 (0-2, 0-1, 1-0)

The Norwegians claimed their second win of the tournament, managing to return from their 6-3 defeat over South Korea from Tuesday (28 February).

They took control of the game at 3:28 as Rolf Einar Pedersen, still one of his team’s most crucial players after more than two decades, opened the scoring.

Emil Vatne then found the net to close the first period. Pedersen secured a second goal at 26:54, assisted by Audun Bakke.

Byeong Seok Cho led the fight back for the South Koreans in the third period, but it was not enough.

Game schedule

Saturday, 4 March

10am: Canada v Norway

1pm: Italy v South Korea

The Torino International Para Ice Hockey Tournament is one of the last tests before the 2017 World Para Ice Hockey Championships in Gangneung, South Korea, from 11-20 April.

The World Championships will see the top five teams qualify for PyeongChang 2018, with the rest going on to the Qualification Tournament later in 2017.

World and Paralympic champions the USA, Worlds silver medallists Canada, Norway, Italy, Germany, South Korea and Sweden are expected to compete.