U.S.A. Women Crush Sweden, Cruise to Gold Medal Game

After Team U.S.A. dominating performances in the Group Stage, the Americans continued their freight train to the final as the Americans made sure that a repeat of 2006 would not be in the cards as the Americans take down 9-1 to get back to the Final. The Americans will look to win their first Women's Hockey Gold Medal on Thursday night either against Canada or Finland since the tournament made its debut back in 1998.

From John Sanful of the International Ice Hockey Federation Website: www.iihf.com

Except for the possibility of facing Canada, Team U.S.A. has been awaiting this game.

Looking to avenge a 3-2 semifinal loss to Sweden at the 2006 Winter Olympics, Team U.S.A came into this game clearly motivated by the opportunity. With goals from 7 different skaters, Team U.S.A. Defeated Sweden 9-1.

The win moves Team U.S.A. into a gold medal showdown with either Canada or Finland on Thursday night at Canada Hockey Place.

We've trained hard for this and we're all fired up now that we're going to the gold medal game," said Meghan Duggan.

The 2010 U.S.A. Women's team bears no resemblance to the divided squad that was upset in Turin. This team is more focused on and committed to winning. Most important, there's no drama surrounding the team to distract from their main goal: winning.

In today's semifinal game, the Americans attack was balanced. Jenny Potter's leads the team in goal scoring but did not have to carry the offense as Monique Lamoreux had that covered. Team U.S.A. took the lead when Lamoureux, accepted a pass from Julie Chu and drove to the net.

Pernilla Winberg tried jamming in a shot but Jesse Vetter, who has been exceptional in the tournament, made the save. The Americans quickly turned things around off the transition, Lamoureux accepted a Julie Chu and made a power move to the net.

Duggan scored a power play goal off a Catlin Cahow rebound infront. The Goal came at 8:23 as Emma Eliasson was in the penalty box for body checking. Swedish goalie Kim Martin made the original save on Cahow's shot, but Duggan was there to tap the rebound home.

The Americans resumed their dominance of the Swedes in the 2nd period when Angela Ruggiero, Cahow, and Karen Thatcher added middle frame markers. Pernilla Winberg scored Sweden's only goal on the power play at 9:34 of the 2nd period.

By the 3rd period, the Americans were on top of their game. Lamoureux added two goals in the third to register a hat trick. Julie Chu, who had members of her family in attendance, and Kim Stack also tallied in the period. U.S.A has one more game, and it will be a big one.

"It is now a one game season for us, said Chu. "It will take sixty minutes of hard work and we have to get the puck to the net, but there will be no surprises. Sweden will face the loser of the Canada-Finland game in the Bronze Medal Game on Thursday afternoon.

Game Summary: www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-hockey/schedule-and-results/womens-play-offs-semifinals---game-15_ihw400201Bk.html

U.S.A. VS. Sweden Photos: www.iihf.com/de/channels10/olympics-2010/pictures/page/0/game/USA%20-%20SWE%20%28SF%29.html