Border showdown is on

The U.S. and Canada, as expected, sail into the women's hockey final.

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 20, 2002

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah -- The U.S. women's hockey team got a little ahead of itself Tuesday.

It had not yet played Sweden in the Olympic semifinals, but players said they already were thinking about the inevitable matchup with Canada in the gold-medal game.

"We weren't focused in the present," goaltender Sarah Tueting said. "So I don't think we played one of our best games."

But it was good enough as the defending Olympic champion won 4-0 at the E Center to set up Thursday's rematch of the 1998 title game in Nagano.

Canada advanced with a 7-3 victory against Finland.

"It's amazing to think that everything we have been doing, the bike sprints, early morning runs, all the grit, is for the next game," U.S. defenseman Angela Ruggiero said. "It's something we can't take for granted."

Cammi Granato had two goals and an assist for the United States (4-0). Natalie Darwitz scored her team-high seventh goal, and Tueting made 10 saves for her first shutout and the United States' third. The United States has outscored its opponents 31-1. Coach Ben Smith said he will stick with his rotation and start goaltender Sara DeCosta. Tueting played in the gold-medal game in Nagano.

U.S players spent the afternoon at a team lunch watching Canada play on television. They said they took special note when the heavily favored Canadians were behind 3-2 after two periods.

"It was a reminder," U.S forward Shelley Looney said, "that anything can happen."

Yet, the U.S. team came out slow.

"I didn't have legs going in," Granato said. "I didn't seem to have any jump. Sweden is very physical, blocking shots in the slot. We weren't happy with how we were playing, but we made adjustments and started playing better."

Granato scored 17:16 into the game. Katie King scored with 28 seconds left in the first period for a 2-0 lead.

Sweden's Evelina Samuelsson said the United States is headed for gold.

"Because they are stronger and faster," she said.

CANADA 7, FINLAND 3: Canada (4-0) got five third-period goals by five players to overcome a 3-2 deficit. Hayley Wickenheiser and Therese Brisson had two goals each, and Danielle Goyette had two assists for Canada, which had a 54-18 shot advantage. Canada led 2-1 entering the second period, but goals by Tiia Reima and Katja Riipi gave Finland the lead.

"There was no panic," Canada's Cheryl Pounder said. "We knew what we had to do and we did it."