SPANKING!

With a 6-1 walloping of the Fin’s yesterday in semifinal play, the US moves to the gold medal round on Sunday @ 3pm EST.

This was a completely one sided affair almost from the start.  The US looked hungry, and the Fins made some early mistakes coupled with some awful goaltending and the game was a wrap at that point.

Early in the game, Ryan Malone, cleared a puck out of the defensive zone down the ice.  Due to the hustle of Phil Kessell, Finnish goalie Miika Kiprusoff was forced to come out and play the puck, and instead of passing it out of the zone, he put it right on the tape of Bolt Ryan Malone.  Malone netted it the puck from near the blueline, starting was an onslaught of goals from the US.

The US would go on to score 5 more goals in the next 10 minutes of action.  Zach Parise buried a top shelf power play off a gorgeous pass from Paul Stastny at 6:22.  Erik Johnson scored another power play goal 2 and a half minutes later off some hard work from Ryan Malone and Joe Pavelski in front of the net.  Patrick Kane would score the next two goals at the 10:08 and 12:31 marks, and the scoring was capped off by Paul Stastny at 12:46.

Kiprusoff was so bad, that he looked over to the bench after the third goal thinking he would be pulled, and eventually pulled himself after the 4th goal allowed.  Nik Backstrom came in an promptly allowed two goals on the first two shots that he faced.

Ryan Miller was once again stellar, stopping all 18 shots that he faced.  Tim Thomas came in to relieve Miller in the third, and let in a goal that actually redirected off of D man Jack Johnson.

***Thoughts from the game***

• Eddie Olcyzk predicted that Kane would have a great game due to the way the Fins play defensively.  The failed to put bodies on Kane all game long, and Kane proceeded to skate around the ice and do whatever he wanted to with the puck.
• Speaking of Olcyzk, him and Mike Emrick might be my favorite duo for broadcasting in any sport.  There insightful, witty and always deliver the game in an exciting way.
• These kinds of events are always great to get a look at guys who you knew were good players, but never actually watched. David Backes is the man.  Guy is a true grinder, and very much reminds me of Ryan Malone.
• Brian Rafalski makes tape to tape passes across two lines look real easy for an old man!
• Erik Johnson, after watching this tourney, along with Duncan Keith are the two best young Dmen in the game.  Just physical, skilled and mean.
• If the Chris Drury, Ryan Callahan line can continue to kill penalties the way they have, we can definitely beat Canada again.