No Miracles For Team U.S.A. This Year

Americas hopes for another medal in men's hockey ended today as Finland edged the United States 4-3 in the quarterfinal round to eliminate the U.S. from the tournament. Team USA finished the tournament with a disappointing 1-4-1 record. Team USA finished the Turin Olympics with a disappointing 1-4-1 record.

Olli Jokinen scored two goals for Finland who outplayed the U.S. for most of the game.

The U.S. pulled to within a goal with five minutes left in the game when Brian Gionta scored but Finnish goalie Antero Niittymaki kept the Americans from evening the game.

Finland took an early 2-0 lead when Ville Peltonen and Sami Salo scored less than three minutes apart. Salo's goal was a shorthanded tally and it seemed as if the U.S. would be run off the ice by the Finns.

American coach Peter Laviolette took a time out and was able to steady his players. Mike Knuble scored to put the U.S. on the board late in the first period when he deflected a shot by Mathieu Schneider past Nittymaki.

The U.S. tied the score early in the second period on a goal by Schneider but bad penalties disrupted Team U.S.A.'s momentum and Salo's two goals but the game out of reach.

U.S. goalie Rick DiPietro played well but was not spectacular in the loss.

Team U.S.A.'s dreams of an Olympic medal in hockey will have to wait until 2010 in Vancouver.