Derek Whitson Scores, Adds Two Assists in Canadian Sledge Hockey Win, Griffith Loses

Derek Whitson of Team Canada

Chatham’s Derek Whitson and the Canadian Men’s Sledge Hockey team dominated on the ice at Western Fair in London, Ontario Tuesday night defeating Norway 14-0. Whitson helped his team in the victory by chipping in two assists.

Whitson assisted on a second period goal by Scott Karrasch and a third period marker from Bradley Bowden. In the third period, Derek Whitson added a goal of his own unassisted, extending Canada’s huge lead. Whitson and Team Canada are now 2-0 in the World Sledge Hockey Challenge after defeating USA 3-1 and Norway.

Canada’s Sledge Hockey team will close out the preliminary round at the World Sledge Hockey Challenge Wednesday against Japan.

Across the Atlantic in Germany, Wallaceburg’s Seth Griffith and his Canadian teammates lost their first game of the World Under-18 Hockey Championships 4-2 to Sweden. The Canadians led multiple times in the game but squandered their lead with little over 5-minutes to play in the third period allowing two Swedish goals in under 40-seconds.

Griffith has been playing a checking line role for Team Canada playing minimal time in a scoring position, a rarity for the gifted OHL scorer who performed well all seasona and exceptionally in the playoffs for the London Knights.

Griffith and Team Canada will be forced to play their way through the quarterfinals after the loss to Sweden. The team will play host Germany in a quarterfinal Thursday.