Indoor USMNT Wins Tight Battle with Canada at 2024 IPAC

CALGARY, Canada – It was an even, low scoring contest between No. 9 U.S. Men’s National Indoor Team and No. 20 Canada at the 2024 Indoor Pan American Cups. A tied score at the beginning of the third, USA fended off some threats from the hosts before battling for the 3-1 win.

The first 5 minutes saw no circle entries until Canada threatened after intercepting a USA back-field cross pass. The Canada attacker drove forward but goalkeeper Barry Merriman (Washington, D.C.) came out of goal to make the stop and resuming save. Canada contained the Wolves’ attack for a period before Koehl Comiskey (Dallas, Pa.) had a great cross that went just out of the reach of Christian DeAngelis (Doylestown, Pa.). The quarter closed scoreless.

Two minutes into the second frame, USA earned a penalty corner and Comiskey fired home a rocket into the top net to take the 1-0 lead. That would be the only goal in the first half after a Canada penalty corner tally was called back.

Out of the break, Merriman was tested after Canada produced a scramble in front of goal. He first made a stick save and then used his body to block a lifted shot. The hosts remained on the front foot for a period before USA had a good look when a split pass got to Adam Miller (Panama City, Fla.) on the right who had space for a shot that was stopped by Canada goalkeeper Adam Kapasi.

Canada was striving to find the equalizer and 3 minutes in got it. After an initial penalty corner was smothered by Merriman, the second set piece was shot into the net by Jagpreet Singh. USA sat patiently for a period before Kai Kokolakis (Melbourne, Fla.) had a diving attempt and on the resuming play USA earned a penalty corner. On the chance, Jeroen Dijkema’s (Houston, Texsas) shot got through Kapasi and hit the body of a Canada defender on the line. Ajai Dhadwal (Agoura Hills, Calif.) stepped up and scored the penalty stroke to regain the lead for USA. Almost immediately after Canada got into their attacking end and earned a penalty corner but fortunately the trap at the top of the circle was bobbled. In the final minute, USA added on an insurance goal when quick passing led to Dijkema scoring to make the final 3-1.

The USA men will play tomorrow, March 22 against No. 17 Trinidad and Tobago in the crossover match. For men’s, the top-two finishing teams advance to the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup. Fans can watch the full event live pay-per-view on Watch.Hockey. 

For more information regarding the 2024 Indoor Pan American Cups, visit the event page.

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