MILAN, Italy — After another dominant performance Monday, “Free Bird” is getting plenty of airtime at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.

The song — the classic rock anthem “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd — has become a celebration track for U.S. teams in recent international tournaments, often played after goals and victories.

The United States gave itself another reason to hear it again Monday, defeating Germany 13-0 to secure a place in the semifinals of the Paralympic para ice hockey tournament. Five different U.S. players scored and seven others recorded points as the Americans controlled play from the opening faceoff.

Young and old alike contributed to the scoring. Four-time Paralympians Declan Farmer and David Eustace led the attack, with Farmer scoring four goals and Eustace adding a hat trick. Jack Wallace, competing in his third Paralympics, added two goals, while rookie Paralympians Kayden Beasley and Brett Bolton each scored twice.

Assists came from across the forward lines and the defensive group as the Americans moved the puck effectively in the offensive zone. Jack Wallace added four assists, while Brody Roybal recorded three. Malik Jones, Evan Nichols and Noah Grove each contributed multiple assists. Josh Pauls, Travis Dodson and Landon Uthke had an assist each.

“A lot of people talk about the age gap, but everybody on the team treats each other the same,” Bolton said before competition began. “It’s really just like older brothers and younger brothers on the team.”

The Americans finished with 41 shots on goal while allowing Germany just one. Through two games, the United States has scored 27 goals on 94 shots while limiting opponents to three shots on goal.

First Period Pressure

The Americans quickly pushed play into the German zone and rarely allowed Germany to advance the puck beyond center ice during the opening period.

Farmer opened the scoring less than a minute into the game with a shot from the top of the faceoff circle. He added another later in the period before completing a hat trick as the United States maintained sustained offensive pressure.

“We were doing a great job of spreading them out and filling every lane,” defenseman Jack Wallace said. “Guys were getting to the net.”

Eustace added two goals later in the period, including a power-play goal following a German holding penalty. Beasley capped the scoring in the opening frame with a high glove-side shot as the United States carried a 6–0 lead after the first period.

Second Period Momentum

Bolton extended the lead early in the period before Wallace scored shortly afterward as the United States continued to control possession.

Eustace later completed his hat trick, Farmer added his fourth goal of the game after collecting a rebound in front of the net, and Bolton followed with his second goal as the United States pushed the lead to 11–0 entering the third period.

Wallace said the team’s puck possession helped drive the offense.

“We possessed the puck really well. Our focus as a team is to get better each game,” Wallace said.

Third Period Close Out

The Americans continued to control the tempo in the third period while rotating lines and maintaining possession in the offensive zone.

Beasley scored his second goal of the game after finishing a rebound in front of the crease, and Wallace added another goal later in the period to close the scoring.

The victory secured the United States a place in the semifinal round while continuing preliminary-round play.

Farmer said the team is focused on building momentum as the tournament progresses.

“You never know if you’re going to hit that peak at the right time,” Farmer said. “I’m just trying to find that sweet spot with training, recovery and timing everything up.”

With the now familiar “Free Bird” ringing in their heads, the Americans have only one night of rest before returning to the ice Tuesday afternoon against China. China also secured a semifinal berth with an 11–1 win over host Italy on Monday night.

“So far, so good,” Pauls joked about the song, “I do like the song. But I hope I don’t dream about it tonight.”