The United States has completed one half of the promoter’s dream hockey final by dismantling Finland 6-1 in their semi-final this afternoon.

Since the start of the Olympics, the fans, broadcasters and stakeholders have been building up the rivalry between the USA and Canada, and this only intensified when the USA overcame their border rivals 5-3 in the final group game. Canada is one win away from creating the final that everyone wants. They play Slovakia in the second semi-final this afternoon, with the winner facing USA on Sunday.

The USA was all over Finland from the outset as they look to win Gold for the first time since 1980 in Lake Placid. A Ryan Malone goal in the third minute of the game set the tone, and the USA doubled their lead when Zach Parise found the net only four minutes later.

Despite the majority of local fans with their attention firmly fixed on the semi-final later in the day, there was still an epicentre of noise inside Canada Hockey Place as the United States continued to run rings around their Scandinavian opponents. Erik Johnson, a Patrick Kane double and a final goal from Paul Stastiny made for a 6-0 scoreboard at the conclusion of the first period.

The USA experimented with players and strategy for the remaining of the match and were unable to find the net, as Finland found a consolation goal through Antti Mettinen late in proceedings. Finland will now have to try and get themselves up for the bronze medal match on Saturday (Vancouver time).

USA goaltender Ryan Miller says the team played the perfect match.

“It was one of those games you don’t want to give the other team any hope,” Miller said. “I think that was one of the best games in the tournament because I got to watch most of it.

“Hopefully we can put that kind of performance on the ice on Sunday. That was a very good game for us. We were very organised. I think we even took our foot off the gas to conserve some energy.

“We have a group of young guys who are young and excited.”

David Polglase
AOC-Vancouver