MCCOY SCORES TWICE TO LEAD U.S. TO WIN OVER NORWAY AND BERTH IN GOLD MEDAL GAME

CALGARY, Alta. – Daniel McCoy scored twice, two of a tournament-record 40 shots on goal, as the United States advanced to the gold medal game at the 2012 World Sledge Hockey Challenge with a 4-1 semifinal win over Norway on Thursday afternoon.

The Americans will face the winner of Thursday’s late semifinal between Canada and Japan in Saturday’s final (7 p.m. MT, TSN), while Norway will await the loser in the bronze medal game (Saturday, noon MT).

Josh Pauls and Kevin McKee had the other goals for the U.S., which surpassed the previous shots record of 34, set by Canada in a victory over Japan at the April 2011 tournament in London, Ont.

The Americans dominated the first period, outshooting the Norwegians 15-0 and taking a two-goal lead when Pauls and McKee scored 19 seconds apart late in the frame. Alexi Salamone picked up assists on both U.S. goals.

McCoy made it 3-0 at the 4:29 mark of the second period, finishing off a beautiful feed from 15-year-old Declan Farmer, before Jan Roger Klakegg got Norway on the board just over four minutes later.

Klakegg’s goal came just six seconds into a Norwegian power play, a tournament record for fastest goal from the start of a man advantage.

McCoy rounded out the scoring with his second goal in the dying minutes of the third period.

Kristian Buen was the story for Norway, setting a new mark for saves in a World Sledge Hockey Challenge game by the end of the second period. Buen finished with 36 stops, easily surpassing fellow Norwegian Roger Johansen’s old record of 23, set in a 2008 loss to Canada.

Penalties:
None

Penalties:
08:40 USA 20 Adam Page (Roughing)

Penalties:
00:16 NOR 23 Jan Roger Klakegg (Holding)