6
	0

Second Intermission Thoughts

Finland settled down during the first intermission. But it might be too little too late. Time is Finland's lethal opponent as they were unable to chip into the USA's lead in the second twenty minutes of play. With twenty minutes to go, the US continues to hold a six goal lead.

Finland had an opportunity with 1:48 of power play time to open the second period. They were able to re-establish some control of the game's flow, but team USA went to nine successful kills in eleven penalty situations. Finnish frustration came to the four just under eight minutes in when Jarkko Ruutu was sent off with a ten-minute misconduct penalty for roughing. The Finns were able to kill the two minute minor penalty.

Krafty of Rock the Red.net noted the Finnish strategic flaw immediately. "It looks like Finland was trying to compensate with USA's quick pace by playing physically, but instead it backfired with sloppy play and penalties." The second period presented a slower pace from the Finns and a scoreless period.

Scoring Summary

Penalties

• 7:52 Jarrko Ruutu (roughing, 2 minute minor, 10-minute misconduct)

Shots

Joe Tetreault blogs about sports, culture, business/technology and current events at TetreaultVision in addition to being the Editor for Bloguin's Olympic Hockey Blog.

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	6
	0

First Intermission Thoughts

A fast first period punctuated by a complete and utter meltdown by Finnish goalie Miikka Kiprusoff put the Americans in the driver's seat for a trip to the gold medal game as team USA blew up for six goals. A flurry in just over ten and a half minutes saw Ryan Malone, Zach Parise, Erik Johnson, Patrick Kane (twice) and Paul Stastny score goals for the US. The action was predominately in the Finnish end of the ice leaving the Finns stunned and deflated.

Team USA came out flying, with Bryan Rafalski throwing the puck on net in the first forty seconds. The conscious decision by team USA was to challenge Kiprusoff early and often. Seven shots and four goals later, Kiprusoff was done.

He never recovered from the first mistake he made. A clearing pass trickled towards the net and out came Kiprusoff to play it. Phil Kessel streaked to the goalie, who was far out of his net. Kiprusoff pushed the puck behind the Finnish skater leaving it right in front of Ryan Malone who struck quickly.

A pair of power play goals just over two minutes apart had the announcers suggesting that Kiprusoff needed to go. It was Kane who sent him off, holding the puck and rattling the fragile Finnish netminder. Once out of position, he had no chance to stop Kane's back hand shot.

Scoring Summary

• 2:04 Ryan Malone
• 6:22 Zach Parise from Paul Stastny and Bryan Rafalski
• 8:36 Erik Johnson from Joe Pavelski and Ryan Malone
• 10:08 Patrick Kane
• 12:31 Patrick Kane from Bryan Raflaski
• 12:46 Paul Stastny from Jamie Langenbruner and Zach Parise

Penalties

• 5:59 Janne Niskala (interference)
• 7:02 Toni Lydman (boarding)
• 19:48 Bryan Rafalski (kneeing)

Shots

Joe Tetreault blogs about sports, culture, business/technology and current events at TetreaultVision in addition to being the Editor for Bloguin's Olympic Hockey Blog.

Email Joe This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Follow TetreaultVision's Facebook page

Follow Bloguin's Olympic Hockey Blog Twitter