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S Sports Local l resident d Greg Westlake, longtime teammate Brad Bowden lead Canada to another WSHC championship By Herb Garbutt OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011 25 Linemates a match made in sledge hockey heaven N either one of them can pinpoint the date they were first paired together, except to say that it's been a long time. Approximately five years ago, Brad Bowden and Oakville's Greg Westlake became linemates. Opposing goalies have been paying the price ever since. Facing their biggest rival in the final of the World Sledge Hockey Challenge in Calgary Friday, Canada's dynamic duo took its game to another level. In a nationally televised game, Westlake recorded a natural hat trick and Bowden capped the scoring with a pretty solo effort as Canada beat the United States 4-1 to defend its title. "We play a ton of games against (the U.S.). Usually it's a close game. If you look back our scores against them are like 2-1, 3-1, 1-0. They're always close, tight games," Westlake said, "so when you can win a DARRYL DYCK / THE CANADIAN PRESS game against them, there's no better feel- LETHAL COMBINATION: Oakville native Greg Westlake (left) and teammate Brad Bowden, pictured celebrating a goal at last year's Paralympics ing than that." in Vancouver, led Canada to gold at last week's World Sledge Hockey Challenge in Calgary. Westlake collected a hat trick in Canada's 4-1 win over the Westlake and Bowden's tour de force in United States in Friday's final to finish second in tournament scoring with eight goals and six assists, while Bowden led all scorers with six goals and nine the final came on the heels of a 9-2 victory helpers. over Japan in which they each tied a tournament record with six points, both tally- viously held the spot, which is now occu- slid a pass out of reach of two defenders. Challenge, Bowden and Westlake once ing three goals and assisting on three oth- pied by Anthony Gale. But Westlake and Westlake took the feed and snapped a again finished one-two in scoring -- Bowden continue to light up their oppo- quick, high shot by the American net- Bowden with six goals and nine assists, ers. Westlake with eight goals and six assists. Westlake's couldn't recall putting up nents. In the final of the last World Sledge minder to tie the game. Hockey Challenge, they Westlake and Bowden teamed up on a On a team that has seen many veterans more points in a single combined for three goals similar play in the second to give Canada retire since the Paralympics in Vancouver, game, but then he didn't "I'm more of a finesse and four assists in an 8-0 the lead for good, and then each scored 55 the 25-year-old Westlake is flourishing as give it much thought, player. I like to make rout of Norway. seconds apart early in the third to put the the club's newest leader. The victory in either. "Our styles just work game away. Calgary was Canada's second gold medal "I have no idea," he said. plays. Greg's a gritty together. We're kind of like "Honestly, we get along really well," since Westlake was named captain last "Hockey Canada is pretty player. He'll take a play fire and gasoline," Bowden Westlake said of the pair's chemistry. "He November. good at keeping records. that most players can't said. "I'm more of a finesse works really hard in practice and I try to "He leads by example on and off the Really, I don't care as long and turn it into a player. I like to make plays. model my work ethic in practice after him. ice," Bowden said. "He's always thinking as we win. Though, I'd love positive situation." Greg's a gritty player. He'll And it's not about who scores the goals, it's about hockey and everyone respects him." to have a game like that take a play that most play- about winning." And opponents can't help but respect against the States." Brad Bowden, talking about ers can't and turn it into a In the round-robin game against the Westlake and Bowden when they are on the For now, he'll have to his chemistry with Canadian positive situation and end U.S., it was Westlake taking on the role of ice together. It's a connection they hope to settle for a mere three goals, captain Greg Westlake up scoring a goal and playmaker, setting up two goals --includ- continue at the world championships in all coming off feeds from changing a game." ing one by Bowden -- in a 3-1 win. Norway in March. Bowden. That's exactly what Canada's leading Though they didn't match the tournaLike Gretzky and Kurri, the third mem-- Herb Garbutt can be followed d ber of Westlake and Bowden's line has scorers did Saturday. Trailing 1-0, Bowden ment-record 18 points they each put up in on Twitter at @Herbgarbutt changed over the years. Billy Bridges pre- spotted Westlake cruising into the slot and the previous World Sledge Hockey