U.S. on cusp of sweeping hockey

A dominant American Paralympic squad can match men's, women's Olympic golden feats.

- BY DANIELLA MATAR

JOSH PAULS revels after scoring against Czechia in the Paralympics semifinals.

(LUCA BRUNO Associated Press)

The United States is looking to do something no nation has ever done: Clean sweep the ice hockey tournaments at the Olympics and Paralympics.

Standing in the way? Canada again.

Just like in the men's and women's tournaments at the Olympics, Sunday's gold medal match in Para ice hockey will be between the U.S. and Canada.

"We got to do our part, right? So they got the two done, so now it's our job and we just got to bring it home for them," U.S. forward Kevin McKee said.

Naturally, Canada wants bragging rights in the rivalry and to break American Para hearts.

"It is a source of pride for us just to win, like we believe Canada is the hockey country and we want to prove that," Canada forward Adam Dixon said.

Both teams dominated the group stage at the Paralympics, each winning all three of their matches. The U.S. then beat Czechia 6-1 in Friday's semifinals, when Canada struggled at times before overcoming China 4-2.