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Hockey: American Express 6-1 Finland |
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Saturday, 27 February 2010 |
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The U.S. men's Olympic hockey team enjoyed its best single-period production in 46 years en route to a 6-1 win against Finland that puts USA in the gold medal game.
The undefeated Americans (5-0) scored all six goals in the first period as they continued to be the most surprising team in the Olympic tournament. The six goals represented USA's highest one- period output since USA scored six in a period in 1964.
In Sunday's gold-medal game (3:15 p.m. ET), the Americans will play the winner of Friday night's game between Canada and Slovakia.
The Americans defeated Canada 5-3 in the preliminary round.
Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller had 18 saves against the Finns as the Americans he didn't give up a goal in either the quarterfinals or semifinals. Finland's lone goal was surrendererd by Tim Thomas, who replaced Miller with 11:39 remaining in the third period.
The Americans, five years younger on average than the last two American Olympic teams, haven't won an Olympic gold medal since Miracle at Lake Placid in 1980, but they did reach the Finals in 2002, when they lost to Canada.
Patrick Kane had two goals for the Americans, while Ryan Malone, Zach Parise, Erik Johnson and Paul Stastny had one each. Brian Rafalski had two assists for the USA.
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