WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey received "Team of the Paralympic Games" honors at tonight's United States Olympic Committee Best of U.S. Awards Show at Warner Theatre. The inaugural event honors outstanding U.S. performances from the Sochi 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Team USA became the first nation to win back-to-back Paralympic gold medals in sled hockey by defeating Russia, 1-0, in the gold-medal game March 15. Josh Sweeney (Phoenix, Ariz.) scored the game-winning goal and Steve Cash (Overland, Mo.) made six saves. Overall, the U.S. posted preliminary round wins over Italy (5-1) and South Korea (3-0), plus a semifinal triumph against Canada (3-0). Team USA avenged its only loss, a 2-1 setback versus Russia in the preliminary round, by topping the host country in the gold medal rematch.
A nominating committee, comprised of USOC, athlete and media representatives, selected the finalists for the individual athlete and team categories, as well as the Moment of the Games, based on nominations from each National Governing Body. Fan voting on the on the U.S. Paralympics Facebook page March 16-21 determined the winners.
The Best of U.S. Awards Show will air Monday (April 7) from 7-8 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network.
Notes: The U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team's 1-0 win over Russia in the gold-medal game was also a finalist for "Moment of the Paralympic Games" ... Declan Farmer (Tampa, Fla.), who tallied three goals and five points in the Paralympics, was a finalist for "Best Male Paralympian" ... The silver medal-winning U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Team also attended tonight's festivities.