Jamie Benn's second period goal stands up, as Team Canada suffocates the US offensive attack in the third period. The Canadian's defense was able to plug up the middle and not let any of the American forwards go to the front of the net.
Canada moves on to face Sweden in the Gold medal game on Sunday at 12 noon. The US will play Finland for Bronze on Saturday.
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Paul Stastny nearly ties it up on an up close chance, but the puck drifts through Price's pads and past the right post.
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Early in the second, the US can't get it out of their zone and a shot by Jay Bouwmeester looks to have been tipped by Jamie Benn, but officially the goal has gone to JayBo.
Official scoring has been changed to Benn.
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0-0 after 20 minutes, shots(16-11) and chances favor Team Canada, but Quick has been the great equalizer so far.
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Canada has taken over the game after Ryan Suter's penalty. Sidney Crosby had a great chance to score during the man advantage, but Quick has been equal to the task.
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Eight minutes in, both Jonathan Quick and Carey Price have been really sharp. Price made a great glove save on John Carlson, who drifted in from the point for a great chance. Quick made an equally nice save on Patrick Sharp to keep it scoreless.
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When listening to hockey experts and prognosticators say that Team USA is the favorite in the Friday's Olympic semi-final against Team Canada, one word comes to mind.
Bollocks!!!!! (I could use a more colorful word, but decorum has gotten the better of me)
The two teams are both undefeated in the Olympic tournament, but while the US has only had one serious challenge from Team Russia last Saturday, the Canadians have struggled to generate offense and have won tight contests over Norway, Finland and Latvia.
The US is averaging five goals per game and has been getting scoring contributions from all four forward lines, whereas the majority of Team Canada’s offense has come from the blueline.
Those numbers are deceiving however, as the Americans faced the declining Slovaks, Czechs and undermanned Slovenia, while having to go to a shootout to beat the Russians, who appeared to shrink from every challenge in the Sochi spotlight.
Canada has not wanted for offensive chances, averaging 42 shots per game and territorially dominating throughout, their problem has been a lack of continuity exacerbated by head coach Mike Babcock’s constant line juggling and the fact that opponents like Norway and Latvia used the familiarity of playing on the Olympic sized ice surface to their advantage. Both teams had speed and were intent on limiting Canada's offense by keeping all five players back in the defensive zone. Team USA will not be sitting back and trying to shut down Canada, they will put up a more concerted offensive attack.
The juggling act appears to be at an end for Canada. The scratches for Friday will again be defenseman PK Subban and goaltender Mike Smith and Babcock kept the same line combinations in practice on Thursday, with the only change being forward Matt Duchene subbing in for John Tavares, who suffered a season-ending knee injury against Latvia on Wednesday.
US coach Dan Bylsma has stayed with the same combinations for most of the tournament, because they have been effective. The unit of Phil Kessel, Joe Pavelski and James van Riemsdyk leads their offense, with Kessel leading the club with 5 goals. Their four lines are capable of scoring and matching up to Canada and Jonathan Quick is an equal or better than Carey Price, but where the US may be vulnerable is on defense, where first time Olympians John Carlson, Kevin Shattenkirk, Ryan McDonough and Justin Faulk(playing in place of veteran Paul Martin) will undoubtedly feel increased pressure from Canadian forecheckers.
In no way can Canada be considered an underdog with the firepower and depth they possess. Team USA has played better than them so far in the tournament, but that is all out the window. This is at best a 50/50 contest or one that the reigning Gold medal winners from four years ago should be favored.
Updates throughout the day. This will be a fun and nerve-racking day for North American hockey fans. Enjoy!!
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