Team USA did its part to set up a potential rematch with Canada for the gold medal.
And it did so with shocking suddenness and ease.
An American team expecting a tough semifinal matchup with Finland instead got its biggest breather of the men’s hockey tournament, scoring six goals in a span of 10:42 of the first period and then coasting to a 6-1 victory.
“We wanted to make sure we came out with our foot on the gas and surprise them with our speed and foot pursuit,” U.S. coach Ron Wilson said. “You couldn’t have asked for a better start.”
It will be the first time the U.S. has played for the gold medal since 2002, when it lost to Canada 5-2 in Salt Lake City.
The U.S. has not trailed once in the tournament and has outscored its five opponents 22-6.
