GOALTENDERS STEAL SHOW AS NORWAY BEATS JAPAN IN SHOOTOUT

CALGARY, Alta. – Audun Bakke and Morten Værnes scored goals in the shootout as Norway wrapped up third place in the preliminary round at the 2012 World Sledge Hockey Challenge with a 1-0 win over Japan on Wednesday afternoon.

The victory means Norway will face the loser of Wednesday night’s preliminary finale between Canada and the United States in a Thursday semifinal, while Japan will face the game’s winner in the other semi.

After 50 minutes of scoreless hockey, Bakke converted the Norwegians’ first shootout attempt, snapping a shot up and over Nagase. Sudo pulled Japan even with a slick move, throwing the puck to his left stick before sliding a shot under Hamar, but Værnes clinched the win with a goal similar to Bakke.

The goals by Bakke and Værnes, along with one from Japanese captain Satoru Sudo, were the only pucks to beat goaltenders Kjell Christian Hamar of Norway and Mitsuru Nagase of Japan, who combined to turn away all 31 shots they faced in regulation time and overtime.

Norway had its chances in the first two periods, outshooting Japan 13-5, but the third frame belonged to the Japanese, who held a 9-3 advantage in shots thanks in large part to a trio of power play opportunities.

The nine shots were three more than Japan had combined in its first two games, shutout losses to Canada and the U.S. The Japanese are still looking for their first goal of the tournament during regulation play; their scoring drought now sits at 140 minutes.

Penalties:
None

Penalties:
14:57 NOR 16 Knut Andre Nordstoga (Interference)

Penalties:
09:10 NOR 12 Magnus Bøgle (Holding)
11:18 NOR 8 Stig Tore Svee (Teeing)

Goals:
None

Penalties:
None