In a thrilling conclusion at the Milan Cortina Paralympic Games, the United States cemented its dominance in hockey by defeating Canada 6-2 to capture the Para ice hockey gold medal. This victory comes on the heels of the U.S. triumph over Canada in the Olympic hockey finals just three weeks ago, marking a historic sweep as the first nation to claim gold in all three hockey categories at the Olympics and Paralympics in the same year.
The atmosphere was electric in the packed arena as Jack Wallace delivered an exceptional performance, scoring a hat trick that led the U.S. team to victory. The tournament is classified as open-gender, so there is currently no separate women’s division in the Paralympics. Wallace’s efforts were complemented by goals from Kayden Beasley, Declan Farmer—who was named the tournament’s MVP—and Brody Roybal. Canada fought valiantly, with Liam Hickey scoring both of its goals, but the U.S. pulled away decisively in the final period.
U.S. captain Josh Pauls expressed his relief and pride after the game, noting the added pressure to succeed following the men’s and women’s Olympic victories. “I’m glad we got it done,” Pauls remarked. “It really shows how much USA Hockey invests in grassroots programs, with so many young players stepping up and making significant contributions to our teams.”
One such rising star is Jack Wallace, whose progress has been remarkable. Following his standout performance, Wallace beamed with satisfaction, saying, “It doesn’t get much better than that,” when asked about his hat trick.
One of those he’s seen progress at close hand is Wallace.
“It doesn’t get much better than that,” Wallace said with a broad smile when asked about his hat trick.
The 27-year-old Wallace, who grew up loving hockey, had his right leg amputated above the knee after a water-skiing accident at age 10 and thought his dreams of playing the sport at the highest level were over before discovering Para ice hockey.
“I think watching Jack Wallace go from the player he was when he first started, from a kid who just wanted to be back on the ice after losing his leg and now to watch him score a hat trick, it’s just so awesome to be a part of people’s lives and to watch them succeed and put in the work,” Pauls said.
“I was on the ice for the first time when he was on his sled and so to watch those guys blossom is just the ultimate honor and to be their teammate is the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” Pauls said.
While the Olympics saw the U.S. men’s team win gold for the first time since the “Miracle on Ice” in 1980, it’s a very different story at the Paralympics.
It was a fifth straight title for the U.S. and Pauls – Wallace now has three and several of his teammates have four.
“I mean it’s kind of crazy, I can’t believe it,” Pauls said with a laugh. “I mean I don’t think you ever start out wanting to win five consecutive and to be the most decorated player in the sport and so I think this team is just so special.”
The U.S. has won six of the past seven editions of the Winter Paralympics. It was a third straight loss in the final for Canada, which won its only para ice hockey gold on Italian ice, in Turin in 2006.
Earlier, China claimed a second successive bronze medal as it fought back from conceding two goals in the opening three minutes to beat Czech Republic 3-2.
Sunday’s final set a new record attendance for the sport at a major tournament as 10,795 fans filled the near-capacity stands.
The mark had been set in the opening match of the tournament with the preliminary round game between the U.S. and host nation Italy drawing 8,992 spectators.
“I don’t think I could have imagined this,” Pauls said. “I mean it’s just so cool. I know this building was packed for the men’s and women’s Olympic finals and to be packed for us, I think, shows the parity of sled hockey compared to stand up ice hockey.
“And I think we had some really passionate fans. I didn’t realize so much of Italy was Canadian! And there was definitely some chants, but I’m glad we could kind of silence them a little bit … it was such a great atmosphere to play in.”
The video in the player above is from an earlier report.
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