Team Canada Completes Sweep of Team USA With 1-0 Victory in Olympic Hockey Semifinal

Jonathan Quick Team USA Team Canada

Jonathan Quick steps on to the ice for Team USA. (Getty)


FINAL SCORE: Canada 1, USA 0


After the U.S. women coughed up a two-goal lead late in yesterday’s gold medal game, it was up to the U.S. men to even the score against Team Canada in Friday’s Olympic hockey semifinal.



They failed.



Team Canada kept the Americans scoreless for 60 minutes, advancing on Jamie Benn’s lone goal in the second period. Canada will face Sweden, who beat Finland 2-1 in Friday’s other semifinal, for the gold medal.

Naturally, Toronto mayor Rob Ford was thrilled.



And if you thought the stakes couldn’t get any higher in this clash of hockey superpowers, you were wrong. It appears Justin Bieber’s citizenship was on the line too.



Do we really have to keep him?

All jokes aside, the Americans will still have a chance to bring home some hardware from Sochi. Head coach Dan Bylsma will have to get his team motivated to play Finland in the bronze medal game on Saturday at 10 a.m. ET.



Here’s a complete recap of Canada vs. USA, including the best videos, GIFs and pictures.


1. 1st Period is Underway

Sidney Crosby vs Team USA Sochi Olympics

Sidney Crosby ready to go against Team USA. (Getty)


We’re underway at the Bolshoy Ice Dome in Sochi. Phil Kessel got a great look on goal in the first minute of the game when he got behind Canadian defenseman Duncan Keith, but failed to get a shot past the virtually impenetrable Carey Price.


2. Carey Price is a Beast Early

Carey Price Canadian Goalie Team Canada Team USA Sochi

Carey Price (Getty)


Beast mode engaged. The U.S. has generated some great chances early, but Carey Price has continued his dominant play early in this semifinal game. Price has saved seven shots, several in spectacular fashion, in the first seven minutes of the game.



American goalie Jonathan Quick has held his own as well. He has saved all six shots that have come his way through the first eight minutes.


3. Ryan Suter Called for Penalty

Ryan Suter, Hockey, Sports, Sochi Olympics, Team USA vs. Team Canada

(Getty)


Ryan Suter is called for holding. Canada will get the game’s first power play. Quick makes a few nice saves and Team USA is able to kill the two minutes of penalty time.


Time: 10:53, 1st Period


4. Team USA Gets First Power Play

Patrick Marleau is penalized for holding. The U.S. went to the power play, where they were 3 for 11 heading into Friday’s game. The Canadians killed off the penalty with ease, as the Americans failed to fire one shot during the one-man advantage.



Time: 15:58, 1st Period


5. No Score After 1st Period

Hockey, Sports, Sochi Olympics, Team USA vs. Team Canada

(Getty)


After 20 minutes of play, the score remains 0-0. Canada outshot the U.S. 16-11 in the first period.



6. GOAL! Jamie Benn Makes it 1-0 Canada

Jay Bouwmeester goal gif team canada goal


Canada strikes first. Jamie Benn tips in a Jay Bouwmeester shot to make it 1-0.



Bouwmeester is credited with the assist.


Time: 1:41, 2nd Period

7. Team USA Heads to the Power Play

Ryan Getzlaf is called for high sticking. The U.S. got its second power play of the game, but failed to even the game with the one-man advantage.



Time: 3:16, 2nd Period


8. Americans Squander Another Power Play Opportunity

Hockey, Sports, Sochi Olympics, Team USA vs. Team Canada

(Getty)


Chris Kunitz heads to the box for slashing. Again, Team USA struggles on the power play as Canada kills off the two minutes with relative ease.



Time: 15:23, 2nd Period


9. Canada Takes 1-0 Lead into 2nd Intermission

Hockey, Sports, Sochi Olympics, Team USA vs. Team Canada

(Getty)


The Canadians are 20 minutes away from sweeping Team USA in both men’s and women’s ice hockey. Can they hold on for one more period?



The U.S. came awfully close to tying the game when Patty Kane’s shot was almost re-directed past Carey Price on the rebound.


Best U.S. Chance GIF


10. 3rd period Underway

Ryan Callahan Team USA Sochi Olympcis

Ryan Callahan, well, he did his best. (Getty)


Team USA is still struggling to generate scoring opportunities on a stiff Canadian defense.



11. Canada Heads to the Power Play

Hockey, Sports, Sochi Olympics, Team USA vs. Team Canada, Phil Kessel

(Getty)


Phil Kessel is called for hooking and heads to the box for two minutes. Team Canada was looking for an insurance goal, but the Americans were able to kill off the penalty.



Time: 9:56, 3rd Period


12. It’s a Wrap. Canada Takes Care of the U.S. With a Gritty 1-0 Victory

Team USA Canada Handshake Sochi 1-0 Canada

Sportsmanship. (Getty)


The Americans didn’t get the revenge they were looking for against Team Canada. Mike Babcock’s team put together an impressive shutout of the most potent offensive team in Sochi, coming away with a 1-0 victory.

Canada outshot the U.S. 37 to 31.

The Canadiens will play Sweden for the gold medal. The U.S. will take on Finland with the bronze medal on the line.