The United States entered their final game of group play with the memory of their Olympic loss to Sweden still in their memory bank. The Americans came out looking to keep Sweden out of reach and they did just that. Taking advantage of an Emma Eliasson penalty the US opened the scoring with Kelli Stack banging away at a rebound in front of Sara Grahn. Less than four minutes later Jen Schoullis easily broke in front and spun a one timer giving her team a 2-0 lead. Three minutes later sisters Monique Lamoreux-Kolls and Jocelyne Lamoureux teamed up with Kelli Stack to give the USA a 3-0 edge midway through the frame. Closing out the period Jenny Potter walked in front and potted the fourth goal of the game with six seconds left in the period.
In the second period the US squad picked up right where they left off in the first as Meghan Duggan teamed up with Badger teammate Hilary Knight on the power play for a 5-0 edge. Jen Schoullis, Kendall Coyne, and Jocelyne Lamoureux all added even strength tallies in the middle frame forcing Sweden to make a goaltending chance. Sara Grahn was replaced in net at the 35:09 mark, the first stoppage following her eighth goal against. The goalie change however did little to derail the American assault as Meghan Duggan walked in front from the corner and fired a wrister in for goal number nine and her second of the game.
A Swedish locker room pep talk must have worked to some extent as the third period opened with the Swedes playing solid defense before forcing Monique Lamoureux-Kolls to take a high sticking penalty. The Power Play was just what the doctor ordered for Sweden as the Swedish offensive was finally able to break through. Erika Grahm took a feed from Erika Holst in and beat Jessie Vetter for their first goal of the game. However as the period wore on the momentum was unable to build as both teams defenses clamped down. With each team getting chances on the power play the opposing squads flexed their penalty kill ability. In part due to their high scoring first and second periods the US out shot the Swedes 51-17 in the game but just barely out shot them 9-7 in the period.
Sweden despite the loss will move on to the quarterfinal round where they faceoff against heated rival Finland on Friday. The USA by winning Group A faces off with the winner of game between Switzerland and Russia on Saturday.
Box Score (IIHF)
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