Canada defeats USA, qualifies for World Cup

March 15, 2009

The Canadian men’s field hockey team defeated the United States 2-1 in overtime Sunday afternoon to win the 2009 Pan American Cup in Santiago, Chile. The victory qualifies Canada for the 2010 World Cup of Hockey.
North Vancouver’s Paul Wettlaufer scored the game winning goal four minutes into extra time to send the Canadian men’s team to its first World Cup since 1998 where they finished in eighth-place. It was Wettlaufer’s first goal of the tournament.

The United States started the game strong with American Patrick Harris scoring within the first two minutes to take an early lead. Scott Tupper of Vancouver finally tied the game in the 61st minute forcing overtime.

Canada’s Rob Short of Victoria, British Columbia was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player while Vancouver’s David Carter was named Best Goalkeeper.

The International Hockey Federation’s World Cup will take place 7 – 20 March 2010 in New Delhi, India.