Finland eliminate USA

ByEurosport

Published 22/02/2006 at 17:33 GMT

Two second period power play goals by Olli Jokinen fueled Finland's march to the semi-finals as they beat the United States 4-3 Wednesday. The Americans outshot the Finns 16-3 in the final period, but could not bridge the gap due to numerous penalties, in

ICE HOCKEY 2006 Torino 2006 Finland-USA Jokinen

Image credit: Reuters

With the Americans swarming early in the third, Derian Hatcher's stick caught Temu Selanne in the mouth while clearing the puck from his own end.

ICE HOCKEY 2006 Torino 2006 Finland-USA Selanne

Image credit: Reuters

Even though Hatcher had the puck, Canadian referee Paul Devorski sent the Philadelphia Flyers defenseman to the box for a four-minute minor penalty.

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AWESOME OLLI

But although the Americans gave it their all in the final period, the Finns badly outplayed them in the first two frames.

ICE HOCKEY 2006 Torino 2006 Finland-USA Peltonen

Image credit: Reuters

Sami Salo was stellar in the first period, first by putting on a skating clinic in setting up Ville Peltonen's opening goal, then by stealing the puck on the shorthanded team and doubling the mark unassisted.

In the second, Jokinen scored two on the man-advantage, one a pure gem as he beat Rick DiPietro from a narrow angle, the second a more awkward effort as his slapshot bounced off DiPietro, went up in the air and off the top of the net, then off the sprawled American goalie again to trickle in.

ICE HOCKEY 2006 Torino 2006 Finland-USA Jokinen

Image credit: Reuters

""So far, so good. We have done our jobs well. I think we even became a little too passive," noted Selanne who in a post-match interview with Eurosport still sported a bloody lip.

"Two more games to go and then hopefully we realize our dream," added the Anaheim Mighty Ducks forward.

END OF AN ERA

"We took way too many penalties. Against a team like that, you can't take that many penalties," a discouraged American captain Chris Chelios told Eurosport after the game, who noted that the Americans found themselves down 5-on-3.

ICE HOCKEY 2006 Torino 2006 Finland-USA Chelios DiPietro Modano

Image credit: Reuters

"We were still in right to the end," added the 44-year old Chelios who along with Keith Tkachuk and Mike Modano was taking part in his fourth Olympic tournament. "We got better every game but the bottom line is that good teams win and we didn't do that."

Finland next play the winner of Canada and Russia in the semi-finals.

"Obviously we're confident but from here on in, it doesn't matter how you've played the whole tournament," quipped star defenseman Saku Koivu.