Zach Parise and USA Top Switzerland, Move On to Semis
It took over 40 minutes of hockey for this quarterfinal game to have any points on the board, but an excellent effort by both clubs kept all viewers entertained and on the edge of their seats.
Zach Parise may have been the lone scorer in the game, but it was a full effort that earned team USA their fourth win of the tournament, and a now guaranteed medal.
Defense, offense, and goaltending were all strong this afternoon for the Americans, which has not always been the case in the past.
The U.S. certainly had their chances in the first and second periods. However, there was a man in net for the Swiss by the name of Jonas Hiller.
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If you remember, I mentioned his name a few times in the pregame; I’m assuming you now know why.
Hiller had an incredible game, making saves on 42 of the 44 shots the United States threw his way. The Americans thought they had the early lead several times in the first period, but each time were stoned by Hiller.
In the second period, Team USA’s Ryan Kesler came extremely close to burying that first goal. His shot deflected off of Hiller’s skate, onto his shoulder, and eventually was batted in by Kesler's swinging stick.
Lucky for the Swiss, the goal was reviewed and was determined that the puck crossed the goal line after the buzzer had sounded, signifying the conclusion of the period.
Instead of looking at this in an angry matter, I think America used it to their advantage, motivating the rest of the group heading into the final stanza.
Zach Parise finally found the back of the net for the first time in the tournament to open the third, burying a rebound right around the crease. The United States would score again—this time Ryan Suter—but the goal was waived off as Kesler was called for interference against a Swiss defenseman in front of Hiller.
On the same sequence, USA goaltender Ryan Miller was beat for the first and only time all night, but the post was there to preserve the shutout.
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