Canada's goalkeeper Patrick Roy, right, reaches to grab the puck while United State's John LeClair leaps out of the way during their men's hockey final round game Monday, Feb. 16, 1998, at the Winter Olympics in Nagano. Following the action is referee William Ross Mc Creary. AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian

U.S. men face another loss

Web posted February 17, 1998

 Return to Nagano@ugusta

By Dennis Sodomka
Morris News Service

NAGANO - The U.S. men's hockey team keeps digging a bigger and bigger hole for itself in the Olympic tournament.

They lost to Canada Monday and now must face the Czech Republic on Wednesday in a quarter final game of the medal round.

Although his team was outskated by Canada, U.S. coach Ron Wilson said he was pleased with the progress the team is making. "Although we're not pleased with losing, we did a lot of things better than in any other game so far,'' said Wilson.

His team is 1-2 after losing to Sweden and Canada beating Belarus. In the medal round they must face the second best team in the other pool. Czech had won its first two games before losing to Russia 2-1 Monday. Czech goalie Dominik Hasek has given up just four goals in three games.

The Canadians had pointed toward the U.S. game ever since the Americans beat them in the first World Cup tournament last year. The stands were full of cheering, flag-waving Canadians, roaring on every Canadian shot.

Goalie Patrick Roy kept Canada in the game with 30 saves, including several when the U.S. failed to score during a 5-3 power play advantage in the first period.

"There is definitely a rivalry there,'' said Keith Primeau of Canada, who scored two goals. "This game was important for our team to win. We wanted to be 3 and 0 and seeded first going into the next round of elimination games. And to prove to everyone that we can play consistently and play well.''

Canada (3-0) plays Kazakhstan in the quarter finals.