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| Canada shuts out USA to reach gold-medal match in Sochi | Canada shuts out USA to reach gold-medal match in Sochi |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Jamie Benn scored in the second period, Carey Price made 31 saves, and the whole of Canada rejoiced after their men’s hockey team beat USA, their fiercest rivals, to reach the Olympic final in Sochi. | Jamie Benn scored in the second period, Carey Price made 31 saves, and the whole of Canada rejoiced after their men’s hockey team beat USA, their fiercest rivals, to reach the Olympic final in Sochi. |
| But the much-anticipated semi-final failed to pack the punch that most were hoping for, and paled by comparison with Thursday’s women’s final between the two teams, which Canada won 3-2 after a nailbiting finish. | But the much-anticipated semi-final failed to pack the punch that most were hoping for, and paled by comparison with Thursday’s women’s final between the two teams, which Canada won 3-2 after a nailbiting finish. |
| USA had impressed with the top-scoring offence at the Games, but the Canadians, led by Sidney Crosby, dominated from start to finish with a ruthless performance to win 1-0. Crosby has yet to score in these Olympics, but he produced his best display here, even if linemate Chris Kunitz failed to convert a handful of stellar chances created by his center. | USA had impressed with the top-scoring offence at the Games, but the Canadians, led by Sidney Crosby, dominated from start to finish with a ruthless performance to win 1-0. Crosby has yet to score in these Olympics, but he produced his best display here, even if linemate Chris Kunitz failed to convert a handful of stellar chances created by his center. |
| Canada put the Americans in a vice and wouldn’t let them breathe, limiting their scoring chances and suffocating their offensive attack. Price got the shutout, but he was rarely challenged. Jonathan Quick stopped 36 shots for the Americans, who had trailed for just 7:19 in Sochi before Benn’s goal put them in a hole they never escaped. | Canada put the Americans in a vice and wouldn’t let them breathe, limiting their scoring chances and suffocating their offensive attack. Price got the shutout, but he was rarely challenged. Jonathan Quick stopped 36 shots for the Americans, who had trailed for just 7:19 in Sochi before Benn’s goal put them in a hole they never escaped. |
| “We didn’t score a lot of goals, but we didn’t have to,” Canada forward Jonathan Toews said. “The next game will follow that work ethic. We can check, we can work our tails off, and we can make things real tough for the other team.” | |
| Benn’s goal came during a shift from the Stars captain and Anaheim Ducks teammates Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. Defenseman Jay Bouwmeester threaded a clever pass into the slot, and Benn deflected it past Quick. And that was all that was needed: Price, of Montreal, easily handled the Americans’ few good chances, including their clunky power plays. | Benn’s goal came during a shift from the Stars captain and Anaheim Ducks teammates Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. Defenseman Jay Bouwmeester threaded a clever pass into the slot, and Benn deflected it past Quick. And that was all that was needed: Price, of Montreal, easily handled the Americans’ few good chances, including their clunky power plays. |
| “We didn’t really create much offense,” USA forward Patrick Kane said. “On the chances we did have, their goalie made some good saves. It’s a little disappointing. I think everyone expected a tight-checking game, but to say we would have gotten shut out … I don’t think anyone would have thought that.” | |
| The Canucks will now aim to snatch their second hockey gold on Sunday against Sweden. The Swedes beat Finland 2-1 in the earlier semi-final at Bolshoy Ice Dome. | The Canucks will now aim to snatch their second hockey gold on Sunday against Sweden. The Swedes beat Finland 2-1 in the earlier semi-final at Bolshoy Ice Dome. |
| Erik Karlsson’s second-period blast from the point put Sweden through after Loui Eriksson had levelled things up from Olli Jokinen’s opener. | Erik Karlsson’s second-period blast from the point put Sweden through after Loui Eriksson had levelled things up from Olli Jokinen’s opener. |
| 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. | 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. |
| After their first loss in Sochi, USA will face Finland for bronze on Saturday. | After their first loss in Sochi, USA will face Finland for bronze on Saturday. |