Hockey

U.S. Drops Hard-Fought 4-3 Decision To Finland in Men's World Semis


Finland took a 2-1 lead on the power play early in the second period. With only three seconds remaining in the man advantage, Finland stretched the puck wide and found the top corner of the net. 6:52 into the period, Schmidt collected a loose puck at the blue line to keep offensive possession for the U.S., eventually leading to a Sean Farrell shot in the high slot that found the back of the net.

The scoreboard wouldn’t stay tied for long, as Finland, charged by their home crowd, responded with an offensive wave of possession that led to a goal at the midway point in the second period. Team USA controlled the puck in the Finnish defensive zone for the final two minutes of the period, creating multiple scoring chances in an attempt to tie the game at three apiece, but the horn sounded signaling an end to the push.

Swayman and the U.S. penalty kill were up to the challenge of an early Finnish power play opportunity, but seconds after successfully killing Finland’s man advantage they ripped a shot that found the back of the net. The U.S. immediately responded, as Gaudette nearly put in a rebound off an on-net dump in, but the score remained 4-2. Gaudette would follow up the opportunity with a late goal, after the U.S. pulled its netminder for a 6-on-5 advantage with four minutes remaining in the period.

T.J. Tynan passed the puck down low to Matt Boldy waiting on the side of the net, who one-timed a pass to Gaudette in the slot. Team USA pulled their goaltender again, with two minutes remaining, but were unable to find a tying goal.

Swayman stopped 22 of 26 shots in net, and Jones was named player of the game for the U.S.





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