SOCHI, Russia (AP) – The men’s hockey showdown between Canada and the United States didn’t pack the punch that most were hoping for when the game began.
Many viewed these two teams as the best in the tournament and fully expected a wild, heart-pounder similar to the gold medal game between the USA and Canada women the previous night.
Instead, the Canadians, the defending Olympic champions dominated from start to finish with a cold, ruthless performance to win 1-0 and advance to the gold medal game.
Canada put the Americans in a vise and wouldn’t let them breathe, limiting their scoring chances and suffocating their offensive attack. Canada goalie Carey Price got the shutout, but he was rarely challenged. Jamie Benn got the only goal for Canada in a game that lacked many scoring chances for either side.
Jamie Benn scored in the second period, Carey Price made 31 saves, and Canada beat the United States 1-0 Friday night in the semifinals of the Olympic men’s hockey tournament.
The Canadians will play Sweden in the gold medal game Sunday, which beat Finland 2-1 in the earlier semifinal at Bolshoy Ice Dome.
After its first loss in Sochi, the U.S. will face Finland for bronze on Saturday.
The Canadians are on the brink of their third gold medal in four Olympics, and they’re guaranteed their first medals outside North America in 20 years.
