BUFFALO, N.Y. — If you’re a fan of the sport of hockey and the United States of America, it’s been a good couple of weeks. Buffalo Sabres star Tage Thompson knocked in an overtime goal for the stars and stripes to win the World Championships — and now their para counterparts pulled off the same dominance.

“It’s amazing to see the youth, and the growth and the development of our sport,” said Buffalo-area native Chris Manns, who has earned a share of World Championship and Olympic gold from his sled. “I was injured in a train accident in 1991, and then a group by the name of Western New York Youth Physically Challenged Sports just called me one day and wanted to know if I want to come and try the sport of sled hockey at Buffalo State College. I went down that Saturday, and I fell in love with the sport and ever since then I’ve been playing.”

Western New York, being the hotbed for hockey talent that it is, the same can be historically said for those standing on two feet or sitting on two blades.

“At one point, there was five of us were from Buffalo on the national team and obviously it’s special,” Manns said. “Just to be back here where so many young disabled athletes in the organization can come out and see this sled hockey at the highest level.” 

So the World Championships making their way back to the 716 for the first time in a decade? Excitement is a light way to put it. Spectrum News 1 heard from team captain Josh Pauls, an elder statesman on the team, ahead of the tournament and Manns has kept in touch with him the whole journey here.

“My last year on the team, ’08-’09, in Czech Republic at the World Championships, Josh was just a rookie,” Manns recalled. “It’s awesome to see him carry the torch and lead the next group of national players to where they are now.”

So a pair of dominating preliminary games, rounded out by a close finisher to the prelims and 6-1 semis win over China to bring the hometown red, white and blue to the final stage yet again.

“You work so hard for all your life, to train to win gold. From one USA former player to the guys, two words: Beat Canada.” 

A 6-1 victory again, gold medals earned — mission accomplished.

Team USA keeps the title on home soil, their seventh going back to 2009. Manns hopes this showing will encourage more New Yorkers to work their way to the roster in years to come.