USA vs. Finland By Kevin Allen, USA TODAY
Time, TV: 3 p.m. ET, NBC
Goaltenders: USA's Ryan Miller (4-0, 1.25 goals-against average, .944 save percentage) vs. Finland's Miikka Kiprusoff (2-1, 1.33, .946)
Historical reference: Finland knocked the USA out in the Olympic quarterfinals in 2006 and then ended up winning the silver medal.
USA's face: Miller is the biggest difference-maker on the U.S. roster.
USA's style: Speed is this team's trademark. The Americans are a smaller team, but they have a layer of grit on every line. They counterattack quickly.
Finland's face: RW Teemu Selanne. Saku Koivu is the captain and Mikko Koivu is probably the team's best player, but warrior Selanne is the team's symbol of pride.
Finland's style: A North-American type: Hard-working, strong on the puck, can play stingy defensively and they can taking a check to make a play.
Storyline: The Americans are trying to win their first men's hockey gold medal since the miracle of Lake Placid and Finland is trying to win its first gold. The Americans have showed some grit, mental toughness and patience to get in position to win a medal. Their objective in this game will be to harness Niklas Hagman, Mikko Koivu and Valtteri Filppula, who have produced much of Finland's offense. Defenseman Brian Rafalski has been the centerpiece of the American offense. He's leading the team with four goals and two assists.
Prediction: It's Miller Time again as the Americans win a low-scoring game
Time, TV: 3 p.m. ET, NBC
Goaltenders: USA's Ryan Miller (4-0, 1.25 goals-against average, .944 save percentage) vs. Finland's Miikka Kiprusoff (2-1, 1.33, .946)
Historical reference: Finland knocked the USA out in the Olympic quarterfinals in 2006 and then ended up winning the silver medal.
USA's face: Miller is the biggest difference-maker on the U.S. roster.
USA's style: Speed is this team's trademark. The Americans are a smaller team, but they have a layer of grit on every line. They counterattack quickly.
Finland's face: RW Teemu Selanne. Saku Koivu is the captain and Mikko Koivu is probably the team's best player, but warrior Selanne is the team's symbol of pride.
Finland's style: A North-American type: Hard-working, strong on the puck, can play stingy defensively and they can taking a check to make a play.
Storyline: The Americans are trying to win their first men's hockey gold medal since the miracle of Lake Placid and Finland is trying to win its first gold. The Americans have showed some grit, mental toughness and patience to get in position to win a medal. Their objective in this game will be to harness Niklas Hagman, Mikko Koivu and Valtteri Filppula, who have produced much of Finland's offense. Defenseman Brian Rafalski has been the centerpiece of the American offense. He's leading the team with four goals and two assists.
Prediction: It's Miller Time again as the Americans win a low-scoring game


