Declan Farmer competes during the sled hockey finals against Team Canada at the Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 on March 13, 2022 in Beijing.
Farmer completed a solo rush with a slick left-handed swipe with 5 minutes, 52 seconds left in the opening period for a shorthanded goal. Still down a man, Roybal knocked down an ill-fated pass by Canada goaltender Dominic Larocque and scored into an empty net 25 seconds after Farmer’s goal for a 2-0 lead.
Roybal struck again less than three minutes into the second period, assisted by Joseph Woodke.
“This is the top of the list as far as moments go,” Roybal said. “I’m honored to be a part of this team, as it’s the best team I’ve ever been on. I love every single guy that’s in that locker room and we’re a family through and through.”
Team captain and four-time Paralympian Josh Pauls scored his second goal of the tournament, on a helper from Farmer right in front of the crease, midway through the period to put the Americans up 4-0. Farmer struck again with 9:03 left in the third period to add an insurance goal.
“It’s really hard to put it into words,” Pauls said. “To battle back like we did, fight through those penalties, to score two shorthanded goals in the first period, this team showed that we can battle back through adversity whether it’s in or out of games. This team is just so mentally resilient and it’s such an honor to be part of this group.”
The U.S. now holds five of the eight…
