USA vs. Canada: Game time, TV schedule, online streaming and more
The United States and Canada face off against each other one round earlier than most people wanted, in a rematch of the gold medal game in 2010.
Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
It’s hockey vengeance day in the United States. After the women’s team blew a late third period lead and fell in overtime to Canada with the gold medal on the line Thursday, the men’s team has a chance to pick up American spirits in a do-or-die semifinal matchup with Canada on Friday.
USA vs. Canada (Semifinal)
Game time: 12 p.m. ET / 9 p.m. Sochi time
TV: NBCSN (USA), CBC (Canada)
Streaming: NBCOlympics.com (USA), Olympics.CBC.ca (Canada)
Team USA hasn’t faced much adversity in the men’s ice hockey tournament, with their only close game a classic against Russia, where T.J. Oshie came out party as a shootout superstar, scoring four times on six attempts to take the top spot in their group.
Scoring on 16.7 percent of their shots, it’s no surprise that the Americans come into the game overflowing with confidence. USA Hockey has been happy to point out that the Miracle on Ice had its 34 year anniversary on Saturday, which clearly is something the Americans would like to replicate Friday on Russian ice.
The difference though, is that it wouldn't be a miracle if Team USA beat Team Canada. The teams are closer in talent than they've ever been before. There is one lineup change for the USA, with Paul Martin coming out of the lineup in favor of Justin Faulk. Martin, of the Pittsburgh Penguins, was seen in a cast according to reports.
Martin has been a stalwart defenseman for Team USA, third on the team in ice time and taking on tough competition. Losing him should not be overlooked.
Juxtaposed with the USA’s relatively stress-free tournament, Team Canada has struggled mightily to score despite leading the tournament in shots. This has led to constant line scrambling by head coach Mike Babcock, whereas the USA has had a fairly steady lineup.
Canada is missing players too, most notably John Tavares, who will miss the rest of the NHL season after suffering a knee injury against Latvia in the quarterfinals.
Carey Price and Jonathan Quick will continue in goal for their respective teams, with Price boasting the gaudier numbers, though he’s faced far fewer shots.
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