The U.S. Women’s National Sled Hockey Team captured the inaugural gold medal at the World Para Ice Hockey Women’s Championship with a dominant 7-1 victory over Canada at Winter Stadium in Dolny Kubin, Slovakia.
Kelsey DiClaudio of Plum, Pennsylvania, led the offensive charge with four goals as Team USA completed a perfect tournament run with a 4-0 record, outscoring opponents 34-1.
“This is a surreal experience,” said Rose Misiewicz of Duluth, Minnesota, head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Sled Team. “What these players did is amazing, and to bring home the first gold medal in World Para Ice Hockey Women’s Championship history is unbelievable.”
The teams remained scoreless through the opening 13:29 before DiClaudio broke the deadlock with a spectacular Michigan-style goal, balancing the puck on her stick blade while wrapping behind the Canadian net and lifting it into the top corner.
Catherine Faherty of Norwell, Massachusetts, extended the lead 3:47 into the second period with a top-shelf wrist shot from the slot off a DiClaudio assist. Just 17 seconds later, Lera Doederlein of San Diego, California, found Jamie Benassi of Newtown, Ohio, with a cross-ice pass for a doorstep finish and a 3-0 advantage.
DiClaudio completed her hat trick with two goals in 40 seconds during the middle frame. She scored her second goal after forcing a turnover and beating Canadian goaltender Jessie Gregory one-on-one, then added her third by battling through traffic at the crease for a 5-0 lead.
Canada’s Alanna Mah converted on a five-on-three power play to make it 5-1 with 10:47 remaining. Kaden Herchenroether of Allison Park, Pennsylvania, answered with a wrist shot from the circles, and DiClaudio capped the scoring with her fourth goal from the crease.
Gabby Graves-Wake of Phoenix, Arizona, made 10 saves for the victory.
Team USA outshot Canada 38-11 and finished 1-for-2 on the power play, while Canada went 1-for-5. Faherty earned U.S. Player of the Game honors, while DiClaudio was named tournament MVP and best forward.