Day 1 of the Men’s Pan American Games Hockey Competition began with Canada and Trinidad and Tobago. Prior to the match, Jagdesh GILL of Canada was honored for receiving his first international cap. Just one minute into the match Trinidad and Tobago’s Christopher SCIPIO sent a strike to give Trinidad and Tobago the early lead. This lead did not last long, however, as Canada’s Matthew GUEST scored right off the restart. Thus, the score was tied 1-1 just a few minutes into the match. Throughout the first half, both teams were fiercely battling for possession.

Canada took the first penalty corner of the match nearly 25 minutes into the match and Scott TUPPER converted to put Canada ahead 2-1. Canada’s Iain SMYTHE made the score 3-1 just three minutes later. Trinidad and Tobago continued to also pressure in their attacking end, but Canada went ahead 4-1 off another SMYTHE goal. Trinidad and Tobago did not let up and off their first penalty corner of the match Kwandwane BROWNE scored to come within two goals of Canada at halftime.

The second half started with a very quick goal by GUEST to make the score 5-2. Canada continued to have the offensive edge for much of the second half. In the 46^th minute, SMITH made the score 6-2. Yet, Trinidad and Tobago continued to battle for possession and forced play in the midfield. Trinidad and Tobago’s keeper Karlos STEPHEN saved a few penalty corner shots by Canada. Canada kept up their offensive pressure and went ahead 7-2 over Trinidad and Tobago off a field goal by Philip WRIGHT in the 62^nd minute.

Match Quotes

Trinidad and Tobago’s Coach Bas BRUIN

On the match …

Canada was too strong for us today, despite the soft goals we allowed. The score was too high for the balance of the two teams. And so it was a clear win for Canada and I congratulate them on their win.

Canada’s Coach Robin D’ABREO

On the match …

I am happy with the game, We struggled on our structure and we need to work on that, but then I thought we played better hockey as the match went on. Trinidad and Tobago kept the tension despite the score and I am happy we sustained the pressure and got our three points. That is what this tournament is about.

Canada’s Ken PEREIRA

On the match …

I disagree with [Trinidad and Tobago Captain] Darren [COWIE]. Unlike Trinidad and Tobago who like to play from behind, we like to play ahead. The first goal by Trinidad and Tobago was tough to take and it is always a battle. A quick goal helped us to slowly settle into the match and capitalize on chances. We played Trinidad three times this summer and so we also know Trinidad likes to come from behind. So when the score was 4-2 at halftime we still knew it would be a tough match, but we handled it nicely. We have four games more to get us four steps closer to realizing [a Pan American Games Championship].