They are getting closer.
The US men’s hockey team wants the gold medal, and they do not shy away from that desire. The men’s team defeated the Czech Republic 5-2 in the quarterfinals of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia on Wednesday.
James Van Riemsdyk scored for the US only 1:39 into the first period. The lead was lost a few minutes later when Ales Hemksy picked up the puck after a failed clear and scored, but it did not bother the Americans. Dustin Brown and David Backes scored two more goals and USA went into the first intermission with a 3-1 lead.
USA received two more goals from Zach Parise and Phil Kessel. Hemsky scored another goal for Czech Republic at the 13:00 mark of the third period. Ryan Suter assisted on three of the USA’s goals.
Goalie Jonathan Quick deserves a lot of credit for the win. The score was 5-2, but the game was actually a lot closer. USA only outshot the Czech Republic 25-23.
The semifinals will be very exciting for the Americans and it could well be the gold-medal game. They will face Canada, the team that beat them in Vancouver four years ago for the gold. USA has been dominant throughout the Olympics while Canada has struggled. They barely beat Latvia to advance on Wednesday.
If USA beats Canada they will be in the gold-medal game and will face the winner of the Sweden vs. Finland game. The losers in the semifinal games will play for the bronze.
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