Team USA Will Play in the Final Four in Men’s Hockey

This morning Team USA earned a spot in the final four of the men’s hockey tournament in Sochi, Russia. They got there by knocking off the Czech Republic 5-2 this morning in the second round of the hockey playoffs. They are now just two wins away from holding the gold medal in their hands.

Team USA got the scoring started when James van Riemsdyk found the back of the net in the first two minutes of the game. Ales Hemsky got one past Jonathan Quick to tie the game just two minutes later then our boys took over the game. With just about five minutes left in the first period Dustin Brown and David Backes both scored and team USA went into the first intermission up 3-1.

Ten minutes into the second period Ryan Suter found Zach Parise for a power play goal and the Americans were up 4-1. The assist for Suter was his third of the game and really put the Czech Republic behind the eight ball. Quick had a pretty easy period as he only faced six shots from the Czech’s and team USA took a three-goal lead into the second intermission.

To start the third period Phil Kessel scored his team leading fifth goal of the tournament and that really proved to be the nail in the old coffin. Hemsky scored his second of the game with seven minutes left for the Czech Republic but that was as close they came in the game and team USA is now in the final four.

Friday the biggest match up of the men’s tournament will take place as team USA will take on team Canada for the right to play for the gold medal. The game will be played Friday morning starting at 10am.