| 2010 Winter Olympics: USA vs Finland Men’s Semi-Final Hockey Prediction |
|
|
|
| Written by Scott Burgess | |||||||
|
Friday, 26 February 2010
|
|||||||
The unbeaten American Men’s Hockey team plays Finland today, Friday Feb 27@3:00ET, in a semi-final battle where a win guarantees a medal. It just depends on what color of medal if they make the final. Olympic oddsmakers at BETUS.com have Team USA as -200 moneyline favorites to beat Finland (+150) with the over/under set at 4.5 goals . Be sure to get your 2010 Winter Olympics: USA vs Finland Men’s Semi-Final Hockey Prediction in now at BETUS.com  Team USA wasn’t expected to make such a deep run in this tournament filled with teams loaded with NHL talent, but since stunning Canada on Sunday in the final game of the preliminary round they’ve been on a high. It’s been 30 years, to the day, since USA won gold in Men’s Hockey, which just happens to be “The Miracle on Ice.” They even went as far as copying the uniforms they won with 30 years ago. By beating Canada 5-3 they received a bye where they would face Switzerland, again. Like in the opener, the Americans were patient enough to outlast the gritty Swiss 2-0. Despite a wide edge in shots, the Americans didn't break the scoreless deadlock until the third period when their top-line forward Zach Parise scored. Parise added an empty-net goal to salt away goalie Ryan Miller's fourth straight win. Ryan Miller has been solid in net, he’s given up five goals in four games and got a shutout in the quarter finals against the Swiss. Goalie Ryan Miller has stopped 85 of 90 shots in his Olympic debut and has carried his club with a 1.25 goals-against average while playing every minute of the tournament. Ryan Kesler is performing at great levels in these games, despite scoring only one goal. He was the focal point of much of the 60-minute session of trench warfare against the Swiss. "Ryan Kesler was a warrior," Burke said. "He competed in all areas. He was physical and used his foot speed. He was a pain in the ass to play against. I thought he was great." Look for Kesler to be a pain in the ass again.Finland beat the Czech Republic 2-0 to get to the semi-finals. They play a similar style as Switzerland and they can’t expect an easy game. Finland prefers to sit back and try to capitalize on mistakes. With physical players on a smaller, NHL-sized rink, the Finns might look to play a closer-checking game similar to the Americans' approach. A potent power play that has produced seven goals in four games has helped Finland make a repeat trip to the Olympic medal round . "They're a patient team. Probably a little more experienced and talented than the Swiss," Orpik said. "The key is not to take as many penalties as some of the other teams. That has been one of our strong suits, being disciplined." Finland likes its situation heading into a semifinal. "They have all the pressure," Finnish forward Teemu Selanne said Thursday after a light practice. "Nobody was counting on us to be in final four before the tournament. Goalie Miikka Kiprusoff has been great for his country. He has been stellar for the most part at the Vancouver Games, reaffirming his reputation as one of world's best netminders. "Everything is about the goalie," Selanne said. "And he gives us a chance to win." Their other talent from NHL players like Niklas Backstrom and Antero Niittymaki, who helped Finland win silver in 2006. Point-Spreads.com 2010 Winter Olympics: USA vs Finland Men’s Semi-Final Hockey Prediction The Bottom Line: I want USA vs Canada in the final. Go USA! Be sure to get your2010 Winter Olympics: USA vs Finland Men’s Semi-Final Hockey Prediction I n now at BETUS.com and receive up to 145% in Cash Bonuses and start winning today!                        |
|||||||
| Last Updated ( Friday, 26 February 2010 ) | |||||||