Tyrone Henry (right) and Anton Jacobs-Webb (next to him) celebrated a world title with Team Canada on May 12 in Calgary. Photo: CIP

By Emma Zhao

Tyrone Henry and Rob Armstrong celebrated their 100th appearance with Team Canada and earned their first victory against the United States in a series of games helping Team Canada win a gold medal at the World Para Championships. ice hockey from May 4 to 12 in Calgary.

Anton Jacobs-Webb, another sledge hockey player from Eastern Ontario, scored the winning goal in the 2-1 championship game as Canada ended the streak of three consecutive world titles and two U.S. Paralympic crowns.

“This time we really ignored the pressure, gave in to what was going to happen and just played our game,” Henry said, noting that the Americans were generally faster skaters, and much of Team Canada’s new strategy was to prevent these players from getting the puck in the first place.

Canada finished first in its group with a perfect 3-0 record in the preliminary round, beating Japan 19-0, Italy 10-0 and Czechia 5-1, before booking its place in the match for the gold medal with a 2-1 victory in the semi-final. on China.

Canada won its fourth world title in 13 editions, but the first on home soil. Henry said the victory was made sweeter in the presence of family members and friends.

“It’s difficult to express in words,” added the 30-year-old. “Just to win this year, especially with all of our families there, and to be able to share this moment with them, it meant everything.”

Para ice hockey became an inspiration and important goal for Henry following a life-altering car accident in 2010. The community involved in the sport was the best part, he said. -He underlines.

“The people involved, some of my teammates, are some of the best people I’ve ever met,” said the alternate captain of Team Canada.

Henry, owner of two Paralympic silver medals, won his first World Championships in 2017, but did not taste gold again until this year.

He joined Team Canada at the same time as Armstrong and Dominic Cozzolino, who worked together to score the first goal of the championship game after just 35 seconds.

“Having this group of guys who have worked together for so long and being able to celebrate these milestones with them is pretty special,” noted Henry, who is on the ice with Armstrong for almost every one of their practices in Ottawa or Montreal. “Growing together through this process, not only as hockey players but as people, it’s a pretty special journey.”

Now that the Canadians have defeated their biggest rivals, the next big step will be the next Paralympic Games in less than two years in Italy.

“There are a few things we want to work on and improve further,” Henry said. “It’s just part of the process, I’m just trying to get better every day.”