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Challenge Cup: Team Canada wins first two challenges

Canada’s National Sledge Team kicked off the World Sledge Hockey Challenge in Toronto.

Canada’s National Sledge Team kicked off the World Sledge Hockey Challenge in Toronto with key wins against South Korea and Russia on Sunday and Monday.

In addition to the Koreans and Russians, Canada also welcomed the United States to the Challenge as the top sledge hockey teams in the world prepare in a last-chance primer for the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, to be held March 7-16 in Sochi, Russia.

The Canadians, led by Trail native and head coach Mike Mondin, beat the South Koreans 5-2 and followed that up with a 5-3 victory over Russia.

Meanwhile the Americans, Canada’s longtime rival, beat Russia 2-1 Sunday and played South Korea Monday afternoon but the score was unavailable at press time.

Canada will meet the U.S. Wednesday at 5 p.m. Pacific time, before beginning the medal round with the semifinals going Thursday and the final on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. P.T.

Canada’s National Sledge Team is looking for its fifth gold medal at the World Sledge Hockey Challenge, having won in Nov. 2011 in Calgary, April 2011 in London, Ont., 2008 in Charlottetown, and 2007 in Kelowna, Canada claimed the silver medal at the 2009 tournament in Charlottetown, and last year in Calgary.

The gold medal game of the 2013 World Sledge Hockey Challenge will be aired on TSN/RDS, official broadcasters of Hockey Canada.

Please check your local listings for broadcast times in your area.