CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – Liam Hickey got Canada off and rolling Thursday, and they never looked back, punching their ticket to the World Sledge Hockey Challenge final with an 8-0 thumping of Korea.
Hickey scored three of Canada’s first four goals in the feisty affair.
“It was a team effort,” the St. John’s, N.L., native said. “Everybody helped. I didn't get the goals on my own. My linemates were awesome this game.”
He also had family and friends in the MacLauchlan Arena stands pulling for him, including his parents, Michelle and Todd, as well as Corey Clarke, the goalie on Newfoundland’s provincial team, and his aunt.
“It’s special,” Hickey said. “They do a lot for me. To be able to perform like that in front of them is super exciting, and it means a lot.”
Dominic Larocque made nine saves for the shutout while Man Gyun Yu allowed eight goals on 27 shots.
“Dom played awesome tonight,” Hickey said. “It’s tough when the goalie isn’t getting many shots throughout the game and he has some good ones quick. . .
“We're proud of him and we needed that.”
Canada led 3-0 after the first period when the shots were 11-1. They dominated the second and took a 6-0 lead to the final period. The shots were 25-5 after two periods.
The game became a parade to the sin bin in the final 15 minutes.
Korea was 0-for-10 on the power play, something Hickey said they have to address before playing the Americans in Saturday’s final.
“We have to keep the penalties to a bare minimum.”
The Americans beat the Italians 5-1 in Thursday’s first semifinal. It sets up a rematch of Wednesday’s preliminary round game that the USA won 5-2. This time the gold medal will be on the line Saturday at 4 p.m.
“It’s huge,” Hickey said. “That’s what we want. We want that gold medal, so if we have to get through them to do that, we have no problems.”
Highlight reel
A look at Thursday night’s semifinal at the World Sledge Hockey Challenge.
Outcome
Canada – 8
Korea – 0
Goals
Canada – Liam Hickey 3, James Dunn 2, including a shorthanded marker, Antoine Lehoux, Greg Westlake on the power play and Bryan Sholomicki.
Assists
Canada – Dominic Cozzolino 2, Adam Dixon 2, Tyrone Henry 2 and Rob Armstrong 2, Billy Bridges, James Dunn, Steve Arsenault and Liam Hickey.
Goalies
Canada – Dominic Larocque, nine saves on nine shots.
Korea – Man Gyun Yu, 19 saves on 27 shots.
Power play
Canada – 1-for-2.
Korea – 0-for-10.
Penalty minutes
Canada – 34.
Korea – 22.
Schedule
Saturday’s Games
Bronze medal match
1 p.m. Italy vs. Korea.
Gold medal match
4 p.m. – Canada vs. USA.
