Bergen's Jack Wallace Wins Gold Medal At Paralympics

FRANKLIN LAKES, NJ — Jack Wallace is a world champion.

Wallace, a Franklin Lakes native, and the U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team won a thrilling 2-1 game over rival Canada Saturday night in PyeongChang, South Korea at the Paralympic Winter Games.

Wallace, 19, is a forward for Team USA. He played more than 26 minutes in the gold medal game.

After the game, Wallace retweeted a post from the team that simply said "Golden" with a picture of the team celebrating the win.

Wallace enjoyed playing ice hockey before he lost his right leg in a boating accident in July 2008. He was in a coma initially, but recovered and started playing Para ice hockey in 2009. He first heard about the sport while at Camp No Limits in Maine. When he returned home from the camp he joined a local team. He worked his way up the ranks and was named to the Men's National Paralympic Team.

In six Paralympic Winter Games, the United States has now won four gold medals (2002, 2010, 2014, 2018) and one bronze medal (2006).

With 2:54 remaining in the first period, Canada took a 1-0 lead when Billy Bridges’ shot from the left faceoff dot bounced off of USA goalkeeper Steve Cash’s blocker and into the net. The score held until the last minute of the game. In the final minute, Team USA pulled Cash for the extra attacker.

After Canada had an attempt on the empty net ring off the post, the U.S. countered and Declan Farmer buried a loose puck in front of goal to even the score with 37 seconds to play.

The teams entered a 15-minute, four-on-four sudden death overtime period, where Farmer beat Dominic Larocque glove-side for the winner at 3:30 of the frame.

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Photo: Jack Wallace/Courtesy of U.S. National Paralympic Ice Hockey Team