CALGARY -- Canadian coach Mike Mondin wasnt surprised to see both Greg Westlake and Brad Bowden break out in a big way Thursday at the World Sledge Hockey Challenge. Andrew Luck Womens Jersey . Westlake and Bowden each had three goals and three assists to lead Canada to a convincing 9-2 semifinal win over Japan. "Thats been going on a few years between those two guys," Mondin said. "Its magic." Westlake attributed the pairs success to their speed through the neutral zone, which led to multiple scoring chances against the overmatched Japanese. "When our line breaks out of our zone with speed through the neutral zone, I think were a tough line to stop," said Westlake, of Oakville, Ont. Both Westlake and Bowden have played for Canada since 2004. Westlake actually started on the team as a goalie before moving out in his second season to play forward alongside Bowden. "We really enjoy playing together," said Bowden, who hails from Orton, Ont. "Its just like were always on the same page and we work hard for each other." Canada will face the U.St. for gold in Saturdays final at the new WinSport Athletic and Ice Complex (TSN2, 6pm et/3pm pt). The Americans downed Norway 7-2 earlier Thursday in the other semifinal. "If we come out and we just jump on them, then Ill have a great feeling about the game," said Westlake, who added hes excited the game will be broadcast nationally. "This is fun for us. I cant wait." Kevin Rempel of Vineland, Ont., finished with two goals and an assist against Japan, while Edmontons Kieren Block also scored for Canada. Raymond Grassi of Windsor, Ont., added a pair of assists. Canadian goalie Corbin Watson of Kingsville, Ont., made 10 saves for the victory. Daisuke Uehara and Tomohiko Maruo scored for Japan, which lost 8-0 to Canada in the preliminary round of the four-team tournament. "I think we had a lot of positives tonight, but we still had lots of mistakes," Japanese coach Kojin Nakakita said. "We cannot afford mistakes like that. I think we had a lot of chances but we couldnt put it in the net." Makoto Majima started in net for Japan and stopped seven of 12 shots he faced before being replaced by Shinobu Fukushima at 5:06 of the second period after Canadas fifth goal. Fukushima made 10 saves in relief. Rempel opened the scoring for Canada at 12:53 of the first period when he made a nifty pass to himself under his sled before sliding a shot to the far corner past Majima. After Block put Canada up 2-0, Uehara one-timed a pass from Takayuki Endo past Watson during a power play for Japan. With just 64 seconds left in the period, Westlake scored his first to put Canada back up by a pair. After assisting on a goal by Bowden early in the second period, Westlake scored short-handed to give Canada a 5-1 lead. "On the penalty kill theyre very dangerous," Mondin said of the Westlake-Bowden combination. Maruo got one back for Japan before Westlake completed his hat trick at 18:53. Not to be outdone, Bowden scored goals 24 seconds apart early in the third to complete his hat trick. Westlake drew assists on both goals. "I knew I had three, so I wanted to start dishing the puck a bit more," the Canadian captain said. Rempel then added his second to round out the scoring. In the earlier semifinal, Josh Pauls scored three times and Steve Cash made 13 saves for the U.S. "Im really pleased with the way that weve improved every game," U.S. coach Jeff Sauer said. "I thought we came out playing really well today and we will try to keep that going into the championship game on Saturday." Taylor Lipsett, Taylor Chace, Daniel McCoy and Ricco Roman had the other goals for the U.S. Notes: Canada won the gold medal at the last edition of the World Sledge Hockey Challenge in April 2011 in London, Ont., with an 8-0 win over Norway in the final. The U.S. won bronze with a 9-1 win over Japan. ... The U.S. beat Canada 3-2 in overtime in the gold medal game of the 2009 World Sledge Hockey Challenge in Charlottetown. ... Norway and Japan will play for bronze in the early game on Saturday afternoon. Darrelle Revis Jersey .31 billion AU dollars ($10.19 billion) to shoplifting and employee theft during the past four years, a survey found on Tuesday. Matt Schaub Jersey . -- Daniel Sedin returned to practice with the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday, skating alongside his brother for the first time since getting a concussion last month. Heath Miller Womens Jersey . The San Antonio Spurs, the top seed in the West for the second consecutive season, were going to get their chance at revenge against a Memphis team that unceremoniously knocked them out of the playoffs in the first round last year. Matt Schaub Elite Jersey . Hernandez is enthusiastically embracing both roles. "As a catcher, you have to be proud of the way you work with pitchers," Hernandez said. "I know everybody watches how you hit, but the main thing you can do as a catcher to help your team win is call the best game you can. Tim Tebow Broncos Jersey . -- The NFL fined the Denver Broncos and coach Josh McDaniels US$50,000 each because the teams video operations director broke league rules by filming a San Francisco 49ers practice in London last month.BEIJING - Jennifer Abel of Laval, Que., earned a second Olympic spot for Canada in the womens three-metre springboard competition by finishing seventh in the preliminary round of the event at the FINA World Cup of Diving on Friday. Abel, 16, needed a top-18 finish to advance to Saturdays semifinals and gain the Olympic spot for Canada at the Beijing Summer Games. "Im very happy," said Abel. "It was my first competition in China, my first World Cup and there was an Olympic spot on the line. "I was nervous. But I went one dive at a time and didnt worry about the previous dive. It went super well. I worked hard witth my coach to manage my stress and its great to see it paid off. Peyton Manning Elite Jersey. " Chinas Min Xia Wu leads the event with 366.00 points with compatriot and world champion Jing Jing Guo second with 328.60. American Christina Loukas is third with 327.45. Blythe Hartley of North Vancouver, B.C., is sixth with 318.95 points, followed by Abel with 318.75. Hartley earned Canadas first Olympic berth in the event with an eighth-place finish at last years world championship. "I missed a couple of dives but still it was an OK performance for me," said Hartley. "I was satisfied that I found the strength to get through it." ' ' '
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