Jonathan Quick steps on to the ice for Team USA. (Getty)
FINAL SCORE: Canada 1, USA 0
After the U.S. women coughed up a two-goal lead late in yesterday’s gold medal game, it was up to the U.S. men to even the score against Team Canada in Friday’s Olympic hockey semifinal.
They failed.
I feel u, bros. pic.twitter.com/Edm1jN0FMV
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) February 21, 2014
Team Canada kept the Americans scoreless for 60 minutes, advancing on Jamie Benn’s lone goal in the second period. Canada will face Sweden, who beat Finland 2-1 in Friday’s other semifinal, for the gold medal.
Naturally, Toronto mayor Rob Ford was thrilled.
Canada defeats the USA 1-0, sending the men's hockey team to play for gold! #WeAreWinter #GoCanadaGo
— Mayor Rob Ford (@TOMayorFord) February 21, 2014
And if you thought the stakes couldn’t get any higher in this clash of hockey superpowers, you were wrong. It appears Justin Bieber’s citizenship was on the line too.
Olympic hockey has NEVER mattered so much http://t.co/zgrDYXiyY1 pic.twitter.com/yDVYgecquF via @huffpostcamusic
— HuffPost Canada (@HuffPostCanada) February 21, 2014
Do we really have to keep him?
All jokes aside, the Americans will still have a chance to bring home some hardware from Sochi. Head coach Dan Bylsma will have to get his team motivated to play Finland in the bronze medal game on Saturday at 10 a.m. ET.
Here’s a complete recap of Canada vs. USA, including the best videos, GIFs and pictures.
1. 1st Period is Underway
Sidney Crosby ready to go against Team USA. (Getty)
We’re underway at the Bolshoy Ice Dome in Sochi. Phil Kessel got a great look on goal in the first minute of the game when he got behind Canadian defenseman Duncan Keith, but failed to get a shot past the virtually impenetrable Carey Price.
2. Carey Price is a Beast Early
Carey Price (Getty)
Beast mode engaged. The U.S. has generated some great chances early, but Carey Price has continued his dominant play early in this semifinal game. Price has saved seven shots, several in spectacular fashion, in the first seven minutes of the game.
#Habs Carey Price looks incredibly calm in Team Canada net
— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) February 21, 2014
American goalie Jonathan Quick has held his own as well. He has saved all six shots that have come his way through the first eight minutes.
3. Ryan Suter Called for Penalty
(Getty)
Ryan Suter is called for holding. Canada will get the game’s first power play. Quick makes a few nice saves and Team USA is able to kill the two minutes of penalty time.
Time: 10:53, 1st Period
4. Team USA Gets First Power Play
Patrick Marleau is penalized for holding. The U.S. went to the power play, where they were 3 for 11 heading into Friday’s game. The Canadians killed off the penalty with ease, as the Americans failed to fire one shot during the one-man advantage.
An atrocious power play. This one's not looking good.
— Aaron Blake (@AaronBlakeWP) February 21, 2014
Time: 15:58, 1st Period
5. No Score After 1st Period
(Getty)
After 20 minutes of play, the score remains 0-0. Canada outshot the U.S. 16-11 in the first period.
USA-Canada Olympic Hockey Live: U.S., Canada Scoreless After Exciting First Period http://t.co/Q5QXNmozYM
— NESN (@NESN) February 21, 2014
6. GOAL! Jamie Benn Makes it 1-0 Canada
Canada strikes first. Jamie Benn tips in a Jay Bouwmeester shot to make it 1-0.
All 14 goals for Canada in this tournament have been scored by Western Conference players.
— Randy Numbers (@randynumbers) February 21, 2014
Bouwmeester is credited with the assist.
Time: 1:41, 2nd Period
7. Team USA Heads to the Power Play
Ryan Getzlaf is called for high sticking. The U.S. got its second power play of the game, but failed to even the game with the one-man advantage.
Another disorganized power play with very slim scoring chances by U.S.
— Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) February 21, 2014
Time: 3:16, 2nd Period
8. Americans Squander Another Power Play Opportunity
(Getty)
Chris Kunitz heads to the box for slashing. Again, Team USA struggles on the power play as Canada kills off the two minutes with relative ease.
Canada kills off U.S. power play, holds on to 1-0 lead with less than two minutes left in 2nd period
— Yahoo Sports NHL (@YahooSportsNHL) February 21, 2014
Time: 15:23, 2nd Period
9. Canada Takes 1-0 Lead into 2nd Intermission
(Getty)
The Canadians are 20 minutes away from sweeping Team USA in both men’s and women’s ice hockey. Can they hold on for one more period?
USA-Canada Olympic Hockey Live: Jamie Benn's Goal Has Canada Up 1-0 Through Two Periods http://t.co/Q5QXNmozYM
— NESN (@NESN) February 21, 2014
The U.S. came awfully close to tying the game when Patty Kane’s shot was almost re-directed past Carey Price on the rebound.
10. 3rd period Underway
Ryan Callahan, well, he did his best. (Getty)
Team USA is still struggling to generate scoring opportunities on a stiff Canadian defense.
TeamUSA mistakes: 1. Coaching; no spirit; no power play; 2. Captain: Should have been Ryan Callahan; 3. No Kyle Okposo.
— Stan Fischler (@StanFischler) February 21, 2014
11. Canada Heads to the Power Play
(Getty)
Phil Kessel is called for hooking and heads to the box for two minutes. Team Canada was looking for an insurance goal, but the Americans were able to kill off the penalty.
#TeamUSA's Phil Kessel will serve a 2-minute penalty for hooking. #TeamCanada back on power play.
— Channel 3 Sports (@WKYCSports) February 21, 2014
Time: 9:56, 3rd Period
12. It’s a Wrap. Canada Takes Care of the U.S. With a Gritty 1-0 Victory
Sportsmanship. (Getty)
The Americans didn’t get the revenge they were looking for against Team Canada. Mike Babcock’s team put together an impressive shutout of the most potent offensive team in Sochi, coming away with a 1-0 victory.
Canada outshot the U.S. 37 to 31.
The Canadiens will play Sweden for the gold medal. The U.S. will take on Finland with the bronze medal on the line.