SOCHI, RUSSIA – The U.S. women's hockey team held a marathon video session and a couple of intense practices after losing to Canada in the preliminary round of the Olympic hockey tournament.
The Americans felt like they played hard and physical in a 3-2 loss to their rivals, but they didn't display their usual aggressiveness with the puck. Too often they let the Canadians dictate the play. The U.S. vowed not to let that happen again.
"We said after our loss that I feel bad for the team that has to face us because we're going to be a different team," U.S. captain Meghan Duggan said.
Poor Sweden.
Team USA completely overwhelmed the Swedes 6-1 in the semifinals Monday at Shayba Arena to earn a spot in the gold medal game Thursday. The U.S. and Canada will meet in the gold medal game for the fourth time in the five Olympic Games in which women's hockey has been played.
Canada, the three-time defending Olympic champion, defeated Team USA in the gold medal game in Vancouver in 2010.
"I guarantee you, we're going to bring our A game," Duggan said.
That happened in the semifinals and Sweden didn't stand a chance. Six players scored goals and the U.S. beat Sweden in shots on goal by a 70-9 margin. No, that's not a misprint.