Canada wins first ice sledge hockey game at 2010 Winter Paralympics in Vancouver

Canada's ice-sledge-hockey team has won its first game at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver by shutting out Italy 4-0.

At UBC Thunderbird Arena today (March 13), Greg Westlake scored twice, while captain Jean Labonte and Marc Dorion each netted a single goal.

Goaltender Paul Rosen made four saves to earn the shutout.

Team Canada's next preliminary-round opponent is Sweden, which it will face on Sunday (March 14) at 1:30 p.m.

The Canadians are the defending gold medallists in this tournament, having come out on top at the 2006 Winter Paralympics in Turin, Italy.

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