TURIN, Italy – The U.S. men's hockey team found a bit more offense. Not enough, but more.
The team finished group play with its third straight one-goal loss, this time 5-4 to Russia in a game meaningful mostly as an opportunity to build momentum for the medal round.
The U.S. team (1-3-1) knew hours before it took the ice that its quarterfinal pairing was set. Latvia's loss to Kazakhstan in the first game of the day locked the U.S. men into fourth place in Group B and a first-round meeting with Group A winner Finland today, one of two remaining undefeated teams.
And by the third period, Russia knew it would finish second in the group and play Canada.
Still, the game didn't lack for energy, particularly in its latter stages.
“I think prior to the game, there's obviously going to be a little bit of a letdown,” said U.S. forward Doug Weight. “But once you get out there against that team, you know, the Russians and Americans, when they play, traditionally it's an unbelievable game. ...
“We played our hearts out, and we'll think about (the game with Finland) from here on in.”
While U.S. coach Peter Laviolette continued to believe his team's results aren't reflecting its play, he said it would be incorrect to call that situation frustrating.
“It's maddening; I think that's the best word for it,” said Laviolette. “I thought we could have scored 10 goals tonight, but (that's) no different than the Slovakia game (a 2-1 loss). We had back-door empty net goals, or we had chances in the slot that (the goalie) got a save on, or we hit him, or we missed the net.”
Still, four goals matched the team's most productive night of the tournament.
“We scored some goals, we were able to come back, the power play got a little better,” said forward Craig Conroy, “but it's tough when you're not winning games. ...
“We have to take all the positives from it. If you lose now, you're out. We know where we stand.”
Said forward Mike Knuble, “We mixed up our lines, and mixed up our power-play units as well. We made progress today, and that's our goal.”
The increased output wasn't enough mostly because Russia – which was outshot 34-21 – feasted on U.S. mistakes and turnovers.
Knuble said Finland is playing “as well as anybody out of the 12 teams that were here. So we've got our work cut out for us.”
The U.S. is 6-2-2 all-time against Finland in Olympic competition, including a 6-0 win at the Salt Lake City Games.
Other games
Peter Bondra, Marian Hossa and Radoslav Suchy each scored as unbeaten Slovakia shut out Sweden 3-0. A stir was created before the game when Sweden coach Bengt-Ake Gustafsson suggested his team might be better off losing because it would face Switzerland in the quarterfinals today, instead of Canada or the Czech Republic. “I said the Swiss, on paper, is the weakest team,” Gustafsson said at a postgame news conference. “I stand behind that. That's a fact.” Kalervo Kummola, chief of the Finnish Hockey Association, monitored the game and was satisfied the Swedes played their stars and played with effort.
Chris Pronger scored a goal and set up another in a three-goal first period and Canada ended its long scoring slump, then held off the Czech Republic 3-2 for its first victory in three games. By winning, Canada (3-2) finished third among the four qualifiers in six-team Group A and will meet Russia (4-1) in the quarterfinals today.
Dallas Star Niko Kapanen and Montreal Canadien Saku Koivu scored as Finalnd beat Germany 2-0.
Ivo Ruthemann scored with 3 ½ minutes remaining and Switzerland escaped a major upset, tying host Italy 3-3 to secure second place in its qualifying group.
Kazakhstan's Yevgeniy Koreshkov scored two third-period goals in a 5-2 win over Latvia.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
