Tupper leads Canada past Mexico

March 10, 2009

Scott Tupper scored a hat trick to lead the Canadian men’s field hockey team past Team Mexico 7-3 Tuesday afternoon in their final round robin game of the 2009 Pan American Cup in Santiago, Chile. It was the Vancouver native’s second three goal performance of the tournament after accomplishing the feat last Saturday afternoon against Brazil.
The Canadian men finish in second place in Pool B with two wins and a draw. Chile finishes ahead of Canada on goal differential after a 9-0 victory over Brazil later in the day.

Mexico opened the game’s scoring in the eleventh minute on a penalty corner by Francisco Aguilar. Canada fought back scoring three unanswered goals from Tupper, Rob Short (Victoria, BC), and Wayne Fernandes (Mississauga, ON) to take a 3-1 lead into the halftime break.

Tupper added two more goals in the second half while Short and Fernandes also scored one more each to secure the victory.

Goalkeeper David Carter of Vancouver earned the win for Canada.

Canada will play top-ranked Argentina in the semi-finals this Saturday evening.

The Pan American Cup serves as the continental qualifier for the 2010 World Cup of Hockey. Canada, who last played at this past summer’s Olympic Games, are co-favourites to win the tournament along with arch-rival Argentina.