Para sport Notebook: Head coach Herrington satisfied with Canada’s early season start

Canadian Paralympic Committee

October 15, 2024

More medals at Boccia World Challenge in Colombia

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OSTRAVA, Czechia – Canada’s Para hockey head coach Russ Herrington says he was pleased with Canada’s sharpness and preparation for its season opening tournament which concluded Sunday with a silver medal at the Para Hockey Cup.

Canada, the reigning world champions, lost to the U.S. 5-3 in the gold medal final. Canada finished the preliminary round at 2-1 defeating Italy 8-0, dropping its second game to the United States 2-1 in overtime before edging Czechia 3-2. In the semifinal, Canada beat the Czechs again on Saturday 1-0 in OT.

Herrington said he saw no hangover from his troops after the high of winning the world title this past May for the first time since 2017.

“You’re always worried after winning a big tournament like Para Worlds that there may be some complacency, but a lot of our players came back in better shape than they’ve ever been in. I thought this was a very positive two-weeks together.”

Herrington added the team learned some valuable lessons last season which appear to be carrying over to the 2024-25 campaign.

“We have an understanding of what our identity is as a team and how we need to play night in and night out,’’ he said.  ‘’I think today and yesterday we lived up to that and it gave us a chance to win.””

In the gold medal game Sunday, Auren Halbert (Calgary), Dominic Cozzolino (Mississauga, Ont.,) and James Dunn (Wallacetown, Ont.,) scored for Canada.

The U.S., responded quickly after each Canadian goal, getting two power play markers from Declan Farmer. The U.S. went 5-0 in the tournament.

The Canadians now focus on the 2024 Para Hockey Cup, Dec. 8-14 in Charlottetown, PEI. Full-event ticket packages are on sale now .

Canada wins two more medals at boccia World Challenge

Marylou Martineau of Quebec City won a silver medal in individual play and added a bronze in pairs with Alexandre Lemaire of Kingsley Falls, Que., to conclude the 2024 Cali World Boccia Challenger in Colombia.

Canada ends the competition with five medals ( three silver and two bronze).

A member of Quebec ‘s boccia program since age 10, Martineau was ranked 35th in the world 
entering the tournament.  She posted 5-1 and 7-1 victories over her opponents from the United States and Colombia respectively.  Thoughts of gold were derailed by losses to Brazil and Chile. 

“From competition to competition there are micro-learnings and a lot of perseverance in the evolution of Marylou’s game over time,” said Simon Larouche, Boccia Canada, Assistant and Espoir Coach.  

After placing in individual play,  Lemaire showcased his grit and determination by delivering an exceptional performance in pairs. They beat host Colombia 6-4 in the bronze medal match.
 
Next on the calendar is the 30th Canadian Boccia Championships November 13-17 at the RA Centre in Ottawa.

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