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U.S. men drub Finland in final round opener
By Jody Genessy
Deseret News Olympic specialist
WEST VALLEY CITY — Hats off to the United States men's hockey team. The Americans made it known loud and, well, quite LeClair late Friday night at the E Center that they are not messing around at these Olympics.
Sparked by John LeClair's hat trick — and clutch goaltending by Mike Dunham — the U.S. opened the final round with a resounding 6-0 victory over Finland.
"It's great to get off to a start like this," LeClair said. "Personally it's nice to score a goal in the Olympics and feel like you're contributing."
LeClair, who only had one assist in four games in the 1998 Olympics, led the offensive assault from in front of the net where he punched in two rebounds for two of his goals. His other came on a breakaway in the third.
"He was an unmovable force in front of the net," said U.S. defenseman Tom Poti. "When he parks there you can't move him."
The U.S. had a hard time moving the puck around Finland goalie Jani Hurme for the first 30 minutes. While the Americans came out firing — and missing — with 13 first-period shots to Finland's four, they found themselves tied at nil halfway through the contest. Kind of like in Japan, where Team USA just struggled to score.
"The team is much more focused now than in Nagano," LeClair said. "To get a big win like this to start is going to be a big boost for us."
The scoring slump changed drastically in the second half. The U.S. scored three times in each of the final two periods.
Scott Young started the scoring spree with the game's first goal 10 minutes into the second. Defenseman Gary Suter got the rush going with a pass from the U.S. zone to Brian Rolston at mid-ice. Rolston found Young at the blue line. All Young had in his way at that point was open ice and Hurme, and his blast from the right circle zoomed by the helpless goalie.
Finland's Ville Nieminen just about spoiled the U.S. party shortly after, but Dunham stuffed his one-on-one breakaway opportunity. Dunham, a bit tenuous after being named starter earlier Friday, ended with 23 saves and the impressive shutout.
"First game we were all a little nervous," Dunham said. "I know I was — had a hard time sleeping today."
They probably had a hard time getting to sleep Friday — after the big win and with a showdown with Russia slated for tonight at 9:45.
LeClair put the U.S. up 2-0 three minutes later. Positioned in front of the net, LeClair punched in Brett Hull's blocked slapshot for the first of his goals.
Keith Tkachuk momentarily interrupted the John LeClair Show when he did some fancy stick-work to rid himself of a Finn defender for a pretty goal a minute-and-a-half later. Brian Rafalski began that rush with a precise lead pass to Brian Leetch, who in turn dished the puck off to Jeremy Roenick at the blue line. Roenick sent it Tkachuk's way, and he ended the textbook teamwork play in style.
LeClair got downright greedy after that.
The Philadelphia Flyers star forward gave the Americans a 4-0 advantage with his second rebound goal about seven minutes into the third.
LeClair lit the lamp for the third time five minutes later when Hull gave it up to him for an easy goal on a 2-on-1 breakaway.
Next came the downpour of hats — from patriotic colored ballcaps to Uncle Sam's lid. No trendy berets, though.
E-mail: jody@desnews.com
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February 16, 2002
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