The GB Sledge Hockey team took to the ice against Japan in a pivotal game which decided which of the two teams would keep their ambitions alive of playing in the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic games. Both teams were looking for their first win of the tournament with GB looking to hit the net for the first time.
Despite difficult conditions which saw play stopped three times due to fog, GB fought hard and showed the team spirit that have been so evident throughout this Paralympic cycle. Once again Bryan Hackworth was busy in the GB goal facing 19 shots, as the only GB goal keeper available due to Rob Gaze having picked up a significant injury early in the first game of the tournament.
Despite seeing the Japanese score eight times, GB’s Farmer and Clarkson both found the net for the British team, enabled through strong support from the rest of the team.
Andy Linton, GB Sledge Hockey Head Coach, said:
“We played a good game of physical hockey which showed our potential. We managed to put some goals on the board which is encouraging for the rest of the tournament”.
Matt Lloyd, British Sledge Hockey Association Chairperson commented;
“We have received support from a lot of organisations and individuals but I particularly want to thank the British Paralympic Association and the Peter Harrison Foundation, without whom the GB team would not have won the Bronze medal in Japan at the Pool B World Championships or been able to compete in Turin this week”.
GB now have a day off before playing South Korea on Friday and the Germany on Saturday.
For all the latest news on the team, follow us on Twitter at @GBSledgeHockey or view our website at www.sledgehockey.co.uk
