Amid the backdrop of heightened political tensions, the United States bested Russia for the ice sledge hockey gold Saturday at the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi.
Josh Sweeney, a retired U.S. Marine Corps sergeant and a Purple Heart recipient, knocked in the winning puck during the second period, leading the U.S. to become the first team to win consecutive Paralympic gold medals in the event. The final score was 1-0.
WE DID IT! First-ever to win consecutive #Paralympics golds in sled hockey. #USAvsRUS ends 1-0. pic.twitter.com/SQaiG8NILj
— U.S. Paralympics (@USParalympics) March 15, 2014This is the second time the two teams faced off during these Paralymic games. Earlier in the week, Team USA lost to Russia, 2-1, in the preliminary round.
Russia took home the silver medal after the match, while Canada got the bronze.
Last month, the Canadian men’s and women’s Olympic teams won gold at the Sochi Winter Games.
Sarah Muller