Strong Goaltending And Scary Offense Leading USA Into Second Intermission

Team USA came out pumped, speedy and amped up to start the game yet had to deal with some Olympic jitters as they adjusted to this big international stage. They avoided near disaster and scored just minutes later to head into the first period ahead 1-0, but there was certainly some issues the Americans needed to fix, namely on the power play.

In the second period, it appeared they were much more comfortable as a team and using some big stops by Ryan Miller vaulted ahead of Switzerland 3-0. David Backes took a puck off of Miller’s pads and went goal line to goal line along the left boards, racing past the Swiss defenders before scoring on a scrambling Jonas Hiller.

Yet it was Ryan Malone’s power play goal that showed that the United States is not just speed and flash, but has the power to score from the tough areas on the ice. Erik Johnson’s blast from the point was blocked down low, and Malone beat out two Swiss defensemen to the puck before sweeping it under Hiller’s pads.

Ryan Miller has not been tested much, but he’s made some timely stops when the team needed them the most. Shots are 22-9 in favor of the United States headed into the third period.