USA 5:2 CZE | USA - Czech Republic (Olympics - Men)

Olympics - Men

Sweden2 – Slovenia2	5:0 (end)	\|	Finland – Russia	3:1 (end)	\|	Canada2 – Latvia	2:1 (end)
USA – Czech Republic	5:2 (end)

final

USA

5:2 (3:1, 1:0, 1:1)

Czech Republic

Wednesday 19.02.2014, 18:00 • Shayba Arena • Olympics - Men

		Canada defeats Latvia, so we will have US vs. Canada and Sweden vs. Finland on Friday. We hope to see you again on EuroLiveScores.com for our live coverage of the semifinals. Thank you for joining us and we look forward to having you back soon. (20:23:57)
		Another impressive outing for Team United States. They will play the winner of the Canada-Latvia game that has a little less than a minute remaining. Canada has the 2-1 lead in that one.
		The US outshoots the Czech Republic 25 to 23 and penalties were 3 to 1--with the Czechs being worse off in that category.
		The Americans move on to the semifinals and have a chance at a metal. The Czechs looked impressive to start the game, but just could not match up with the deep US team.
	60:00	Game over.
	59:10	Erat has a chance on the open side of the net, but he does not realize the rebound was between his legs. He takes a hard shot from the American defender and the puck is cleared.
	58:30	The US sitting back on defense now, prohibiting entrance of their zone by the Czech side.
	57:00	The Czech Republic not giving up and still pressing the US. A puck floated out in front of Quick, but the defense was smothering the keeper in the crease. The US clears the puck to center ice.
		Commercial break.
	55:30	Jagr still trying hard when he is out there to make something happen,. but his pass is sloppy and the US comes back in transition.
	53:00	Goal for Team Czech Republic! Scorer is HEMSKY Hemsky and Plekanec enter the American zone and they cross paths. Plekanec gets hammered, but it leaves Hamsky open for a clean shot. He goes top shelf on a pretty wrist shot. Hemsky gets his second unassisted goal of the game.
	52:00	The Americans toying with the Czechs in their own end. They have some odd man opportunities, but they are looking to spread the wealth to teammates then to actually get a sixth goal.
	50:30	Kagr trying hard to score, likely knowing this is his last Olympic games. Just turning 42, this is his third Olympic games and 8th time representing the Czech Republic on the international Men's stage.
	48:50	Fowler given a good opportunity there by his teammates. Other than that, the Americans are happy just letting the clock run out and moving on to the semifinals.
	46:47	Zidlicky with a hard crosscheck to the ribs of Parise. Without a shorthanded goal here for the Czechs, the clock will be too short to offer up any miracle comeback opportunity.
		Commercial break.
	45:30	On the replay, Kessel scores off of his skate. It was not a kicking motion, so the refs allow the goal.
	44:00	Krejci takes a long shot between three US defenders on a line change. An easy save for Quick and he dumps the puck in the corner.
		That is Kessel's fifth goal of the tournament, tying him for first (Grabbner-Austria) and league leading eighth point.
	42:01	Goal for Team USA! Scorer is KESSEL. Kesler sees Kessel flying to the net and hits him with an amazingly timed pass that he just needs to put his stick on. No help from the defense and no chance for Salak on that one.
	40:43	Jaromir Jagr in likely his last Olympic match, brings the puck up ice. He makes a nice pass on a give and go, receives the puck and makes a nice move to get the puck on Quick. Hanzal follows up hard and hammers underneath Quick, but the whistle blows.
	40:01	Start of 3rd period.
		The final period is about to begin shortly.
		In the other game, Latvia and Canada are still tied after the 2nd period. Gudlevskis has stopped 34 of 35 shots in 40 minutes, including all 19 that period. We will keep you updated on any changes in that quarterfinal game.
		Shots were 9 to 6 for the US in that perios and 18 to 13 on the game. The US has a full power play and each team had a :30 second man advantage. The US capitalized on their full power play with the Parise goal/
		A great :45 seconds for the Czechs, but no shots on goal. The US does a great job poking at the Czechs and chasing the puck down in their own end.
	40:00	2nd period finished.
	38:30	A good try by Martin Erat there, but he loses his footing and cannot get a good swipe at the open puck. Credit to Parise on tying him up.
		Czech side is at full strength after some good defensive play on the short American power play.
		US with :30 on the power play
	37:00	Fowler turns twice in his own end to create some space, flies down ice to setup the play and almost gets the screen for Stasny. The puck is deflected high and out of play.
	36:01	That was quick as Oshie was lifted by Voracek onto his back side. 4-on04 on the tripping call.
	35:32	Orpik called for the hard hit on the boards. The refs call it interference. First power play for the Czech play.
	35:05	Backes almost gets the goal on a deflection and hard stick try from his knees on the rebound. Steady positioning by Salak to stop a fifth goal.
	34:00	Fowler with an amazing shift for the US. He stops a centering pass opportunity in his own end on Krejci, skates down, gets a one-timer and pinches in behind the goal to maintain possession. Hard work their by the American defender.
	32:30	The US really trying to use their speed to crack the Czechs in transition. They get into the Czech zone twice, but look a little sloppy trying to test Salak. Jagr comes back in transition and gets a good chance that is stopped by Quick's skate.
		The game is back underway.
		TV timeout.
	31:00	Nedved flying up ice with a chance, but the American defender pokes it away easily. The US looks fluid now, but needs to make sure they do not start coasting if they are going to ensure this is a big enough lead to move on in the tournament.
		Play has resumed!
		In other action, Canada has 30 shots on goal midway through the second period. However, Latvia is tied with them 1-1.
		Ryan Suter has assisted on three goals this game.
		Backes has an assist for the US, but his play today is far beyond what is found on the stat sheet. He has been punishing any Czech players in his reach and had a great screen on that power play goal by Parise.
		There has been a stoppage in play as a piece of glass behind the US bench has become detached.
		Salak has replaced Pavelec in goal for the Czech Republic.
	29:31	Goal for Team USA! Scorer is PARISE. Pavelski let's a shot rip that misses the net. The puck bounces off of the boards and a hustling Parise skates hard to pick up the rebound and he hits the hard angle shot for the goal.
	29:20	Hanzal getting a shorthanded opportunity and single handedly stopping the US from entering the zone.
	28:27	Michalek called for an interference call on Kessler right after mentioning the refs were letting the skaters play the game. It was an obvious call as Kessler was chasing a dumped puck.
		The refs are letting the players play. There have been some potential penalty calls, but the refs letting them go. Makes for some good back and forth hockey.
	27:30	After a decent shift by the US, Zidlicky getting a powerful slapper on Quick who is making all the saves. Momentum turning slightly for the Czechs.
	26:00	The Czech side really trying to get something going from behind Quick, but no one can get in front. The US taking it back the other way.
	24:30	Backes getting a nice try on a cross ice pass, but Pavelec stops it. He gets another try from close range that misses wide. Two good opportunities for Backes on that shift.
	23:00	It is the Czech side now getting the pressure on the US, but the defense is doing well to keep the puck on the boards. The US sets up again slowly in their own end.
	21:30	Hemsky just turning and shooting without looking. An easy save for a waiting Quick. The US slows down the game a bit and are setting up the transition in their own end.
	20:01	Start of 2nd period.
		The goalies are chopping up the creases and we are ready to resume the action.
		We will resume our coverage after the intermission!
		Credit to the US forwards who were able to make two difficult angle goals. Pavelec seems to be cheating a bit on the pass play and has allowed more space on the short side than if he would have been more disciplined on the post.
		An unfortunate period for the Czechs who hit two crossbars and had two US defensemen sweep away trickling pucks. The US has a two goal lead and lead the shot count 9 to 7.
	20:00	1st period finished.
	19:58	Goal for Team USA! Scorer is BACKES. The Czech side is playing hard on the forecheck and even trying to dive in passing lanes to get a turnover. The US is able to get away from the hassling and make some great passes in the Czech zone. McDonagh and Suter cycle before getting the puck to Backes who puts one over the top of a sprawling Pavelec for the two goal lead.
	19:00	Kane gets a nice breakaway pass and has Parise with him, but his partner cannot get his stick on the puck. Hanzal gets a puck into Quick's glove the other way.
	17:30	The US back to pressing the Czech side. Pavelec gloving the first shot and covering the next. The faceoff will be in the Czech zone.
	16:10	Quick covers back-to-back long shots preventing a rebound chance.
		McDonagh has swatted a puck that went between Quick's legs and nearly trickled in, and Shattenkirk poked away the try by Frolik. The defense is really padding Quick's stats early on.
	14:38	Goal for Team USA! Suter-Backes-Brown on the tic-tac-toe. The pass comes down from the blue line to the left boards and a nice cross ice pass to the open net. USA back on top.
	13:15	Fralick gets a nice feed on the move and Quick makes the split save to stop a 2-1 Czech lead.
	13:00	The US taking the momentum now and slowing the Czech attack.
		Fowler hits a post and on the next possession van Riemsdyk gets a good chance. Pavelec is doing his best to keep out a puck in what is turning into a fast paced offensive game.
	10:45	The Czech Republic is really testing the US and are getting some quality tries on Quick. The Americans are reeling a bit and seem surprised by their opponent's tenacity.
		The Czech goal has been given to Hemsky unassisted. It was actually an own goal on McDonagh off of Suter's skate.
	09:00	Smid sets up the Czech side in their own zone and they get a great shift. Hanzal fighting hard in front of Quick, but he cannot get anything in.
	07:30	Backes with a nice job on the forecheck and intercepts the puck. He passes it back to the blue line, but that is taken up ice by the Czech forwards.
	06:00	The US is having a hard time dealing with the Czech sides speed and cannot get into the offensive zone. No production for the Czechs after their goal either.
	04:31	Goal for Team Czech Republic! Michalek gets a nice shot on Quick that is saved. McDonagh knocks it off Suter's skate and past Quick for an own goal. Hemsky given credit for the goal.
	04:00	Jaromir Jagr gets a nice move and shot on Quick, but Orpik blocks it and takes a nasty shot on his ankle. Czech Republic playing well.
	03:00	The US playing strong on the Czech Republic. TJ Oshie keeping on the pressure Pavelec with a nice shot.
	01:19	Goal for Team USA! A lot of pressure on Pavelec and the defense early. van Riemsdyk slides along the goal line and sees Pavelec cheating toward the center and he slides one behind his left skate.
		Backes wins the draw and we are underway in the US offensive zone.
	00:01	Game started.
		Both teams are coming out on the ice. The game will begin shortly.
		Canada and Latvia is also on at 18:00. You can follow the live stream of that game here at EuroLiveScores.com.
		In earlier quarterfinal matches, Sweden defeated Slovenia in a 5-0 shutout. Finland also vanquished the tournament's host with a 3-1 victory over Russia.
		The United States has to be careful though. They were able to dominate Slovenia in their last game played, but only when they were ready to dominate. They looked like they were coasting at times, especially on the penalty kill. It is important that they play a complete game or they could get surprised by an improving Czech side.
		The Czech Republic has struggled, winning only one game in the group stage. They were able to overtake a struggling Slovak side yesterday, but not without a comeback scare. After jumping to an early 3-0 lead, Team Slovakia closed the gap to one goal before time got away from them.
		The United States is the heavy favorite in this game with Jonathan Quick in goal (94.4% saves; 1.44 GAA) and tournament scoring leader Phil Kessel (4G, 3A). They won all three of their games in the group stage and are the knockout rounds 2nd seeded team.
		Welcome to EuroLiveScores.com live coverage of the quarterfinals matchup between the United States and Czech Republic. The game will begin in about 20 minutes.
		Welcome. Game starts at 12:00 ET / 18:00 CET / 21:00 MSK which is also the local time in Sochi.

Commentary by

Tim Bourcier

Goals & lineups Match log

Goals and assists: 2. Riemsdyk (Kesler), 15. Brown (Backes, Suter), 20. Backes (Suter, McDonagh), 30. Parise (Pavelski, Suter), 43. Kessel (Kesler, Shattenkirk) – 5. Hemsky, 53. Hemsky

USA: Quick (Miller) – McDonagh, Suter, Martin, Orpik, Shattenkirk, Fowler, Carlson – Kane, Kesler, Parise "C" – Kessel, Pavelski, van Riemsdyk – Callahan, Backes, Brown – Oshie, Stastny, Pacioretty – Wheeler

Czech Republic: Pavelec (Salák) – Židlický, Šmíd, Z. Michálek, Kaberle, Rozsíval, Gudas, Krajíček – Jágr, Plekanec "C", Červenka – Hemský, Krejčí, M. Michálek – Voráček, Eliáš, Erat – Frolík, Hanzal, Nedvěd – Novotný. Trenér: Alois Hadamczik

Referees: Olenin (RUS), Pollock (CAN), Amell (CAN), Dědulja (BLR).

Attendance: 7000

1st period
	01:19
	04:31
	14:38
	19:58
1st intermission
2nd period
	28:27
	29:31
	35:32
	36:01
2nd intermission
3rd period
	42:01
	46:47
	53:00
Final