U.S. sledge hockey team geared for gold

The U.S. Paralympic Sledge Hockey Team will face off against an unlikely opponent on Saturday as it goes for its second-ever Paralympic Winter Games gold medal. Following a stunning upset victory over Canada in the semifinals, Japan will play Team USA in its first-ever Paralympic title game appearance.

The U.S. and Japan met in both teams' final preliminary-round game of the tournament, with Team USA claiming a 6-0 victory last Tuesday. The U.S. has reason to be optimistic, as it has posted a 7-0-0-0 record against Japan during the 2009-10 season and has outscored Japan, 29-2, in the process.

But the Japan team that topped Canada, 3-1, on Thursday would be a very difficult out. Notorious for its speed, Japan added a physical element to its game against Canada that led to timely turnovers and odd-man rushes. While Canada carried play for much of the game, Japan proved opportunistic and guaranteed itself its first ever medal in Paralympic sled hockey tournament history.

For the U.S. to be successful, it will need to rely on that which has been perfect thus far this tournament: its defense and goaltending. Team USA has yet to surrender a goal against in four games, holding its opponents to 29 total shots in those games and allowing double-digit shots only once.

The U.S. offense, frequently sparked by its mobile defense, will get its chances as the game progresses. Japan relies on the speed of forward Daisuke Oehara and reliability of defenseman Takayuki Endo, but doesn't display the roster depth seen on Team USA. And while goaltender Mitsuru Nagase admittedly played the game of his career against Canada, he may be called upon to do the same in back-to-back games for Japan to stand a chance.

Still, Team USA is not taking its opponent for granted.

"We've seen what kind of team Japan can be," said Bubba Torres (Riverside, N.J.). "They played the game of their lives against Canada, and there's no reason we shouldn't think they can do it again. We need to limit their chances and hopefully we can wear them down as the game goes on."

The coaching staff of Team USA made a commitment two years ago to get the U.S. to the championship game of every tournament in which it competed. Now, the U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team has a chance to do what no other country has done: win its second Paralympic sled hockey gold. Keeping emotions in check will be another key to Team USA's success, according to head coach Ray Maluta.

"We might have been a little tight in the first period against Norway," said Maluta of Team USA's semifinal win. "I think we were a little over-excited. We're exactly where we wanted to be now, and our guys just need to play their game to reach their goal."

Content courtesy of USA Paralympics.