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Team USA rallies to beat Team Canada in inaugural Can Am Cup competition

  • Published
  • By John E. Banks
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AFB, Okla. --  The inaugural Can Am Cup was a rousing success.

Both teams entered the contest filled with excitement, confidence and an anticipation of a great hockey game. The 300 fans in attendance weren't disappointed as Team USA rallied and took the 5-4 victory May 15 at the Blazers Ice Centre.

Before the game, Team USA co-captain James Behn said the atmosphere in the rink felt like a playoff game.

The festivities got started as representatives from each side dropped the ceremonial puck at center ice. Col. Patricia Hoffman, 552nd Air Control Wing commander, and Col. Scott Forest, 552nd ACW vice commander represented the Canadian and American sides, respectively. "This game gives both sides of the 552nd ACW to show their pride, camaraderie and love of hockey," said Col. Hoffman.

Both teams left their locker room and lined up at their respective blue line waiting for the game to begin. Mindy Ruppert sang both the American and Canadian national anthems. The first period started with fast-paced action. The Canadians got on the board early and often during the first 10 minutes of action.

The first goal came as Canadian defenseman Keith Book rifled a backhander past Team USA goaltender Jeff Paquet, giving the Canadians the early lead at 2:23.

The second Canadian goal came three minutes later as right winger Travis Matthews took a pass from center James McCarron and lifted it past Paquet. McCarron scored the Canadians' third goal at 9:21. His shot from outside the right face off circle fooled Paquet and put Team Canada up 3-0.

"That kind of start is almost too good to be true," said Mark Keown, Canadians right winger.

Team USA got on the board at 16:25 of the first period. Behn fed a cross-ice pass to defenseman Justin Smith, who sent a slick wrist shot past Canadians net minder Dan Publicover. Behn's goal seemed to lift the spirits of Team USA.

"We got off to a slow start, but I think we have the depth to take over this game," said Behn. Team USA had all the momentum in the second period. They scored three goals while shutting down the Canadians.

Team USA Co-captain Derek Iwanenko scored on a breakaway at 4:23 of the second period to draw Team USA closer at 3-2. The game tying goal for Team USA came as Behn fed a center ice pass to right winger Jeff Migdal who in turn slid a pass to Iwanenko. Iwanenko then lifted the puck into the right corner of the net.

Team USA kept up the scoring and got the go-ahead at the 12:34 mark of the second period. Behn rifled a wrist shot past Publicover, with an assist from Migdal.

Both team traded goals in the third period. Team USA scored first and held a 5-3 lead until late in the contest. Team Canada scored its final goal with 13 seconds left in the contest.

"This was an excellent way to show the fans of Tinker Air Force Base and Oklahoma City that there are some talented hockey players within the 552nd ACW," said Col. Forest.

The three stars of the game were Behn, who had one goal and two assists; Iwanenko, who tallied two goals; and McCarron, who had a goal and an assist.

"That was a great hockey game," said Team USA defenseman Chris Beatty. "Each team was very skilled and it was an honor to play in the first annual Can AM Cup."