VANCOUVER — Finding its new status as the top seed in the Olympic hockey tournament difficult, Team USA barely survived during a quarterfinal match on Wednesday afternoon, beating Switzerland 2-0.
The winning goal was scored by Zach Parise on a power play early in the third period. Center Paul Stastny of the Avalanche got an assist, his first point in four games at the tourney.
Parise added an empty-net insurance goal in the final minute of the third period.
Although the Americans forced the play from beginning to end, they had trouble breaking through against Swiss goalie Jonas Hiller.
The crowd was definitely pro-Switzerland, going so far to erupt in cheers when a goal by the USA in the waning seconds of the second period was disallowed, as a video replay clearly revealed the puck failed to cross the line before the clock expired.
Footnotes
The two previous times the Americans won on Feb. 24 they captured the gold medal (1960 and 1980).
… Forwards Dustin Brown and Chris Drury played in their 50th international game in a U.S. uniform. —Associated Press
