USA vs Canada: Team USA defeated Canada 4-2 in their Beijing Olympic men’s ice hockey preliminary round showdown on Saturday, outskating their archrivals and preying on Canadian mistakes.
USA vs Canada: Hockey| Hockey score| Olympic hockey
Hockey:
Captain Andy Miele had a goal and an assist, while goalie Strauss Mann made 35 saves for the U.S. (2-0-0), which took over first place in Group A ahead of Canada (1-1-0). The last win for Team USA over Canada in men’s Olympic hockey was on Feb. 21, 2010, at the Vancouver Winter Games.
It was a statement win for the Americans. While Canada brought a veteran-laden team to Beijing — their captain, Eric Staal, is a 17-year NHL veteran — the U.S. roster comprises primarily NCAA players. Their moments of inexperience were overshadowed by their speed and tenacious forechecking against Canada.
Hockey score:
Team USA scored a critical insurance goal 6:13 into the third period, on a play that Mann started with a poke check. Miele collected the puck and dumped it into the Canadian zone.
Then came two Canadian miscues: Defenseman Maxim Noreau misplayed the puck and turned it over to Miele, and then Pasquale let a wobbly blast from Agostino squeak through for the 4-2 lead.
Olympic Hockey:
The U.S. preserved that lead through Canada’s 5-on-3 power play late in the third period, when Mann made seven saves and got help from his goal post on one Canadian chance — one of four posts they hit in the game.
The Americans close out the preliminary round Sunday against Germany. The Canadians play host China. Team USA defeated Canada 4-2 in their Beijing Olympic men’s ice hockey preliminary round showdown on Saturday, outskating their archrivals and preying on Canadian mistakes.
“I fought the puck pretty much all night,” Pasquale said. “I gave up two weak ones. If I make those two saves, we’re 2-2 going into overtime.”
