USA downs Russia 5-1, advances to the 2011 World's Championship Game

Despite an amazing performance by 17 year old Russian netminder Anna Prugova the United States out muscled Russia to a 5-1 win in today's second semifinal.

Iya Gavrilova got the Russians on the board at the 3:21 mark with a rebound off a shot by Yekaterina Smolentseva's shot that Jessie Vetter stopped. However the lead would be short lived as Monique Lamoreux-Kolls got the United States on the board at the 11:31 mark assisted by her sister Jocelyne with a wrister from the slot. 34 seconds later Kendall Coyne gave the United States a 2-1 lead and the Americans never looked back. For the period the US out shot Russia 33-5.

In the second period Jocelyne Lamoureux put a low angled shot into the back of the net just as a shortened USA power play expired. With Russia's emotions getting the best of them, Iya Gavrilova took a Holding call allowing the USA to capitalize again. Just 45 seconds into the power play Brianna Decker redirected a shot from Caitlin Cahow into the net giving the USA a 4-1 lead. Towards the end of the frame the physicality picked up briefly as Russia's Alexandra Kapustina was whistled for interference and the USA's Hilary Knight and Josephine Pucci taking penalties for Slashing and Tripping respectively. In the second period the Americans continued to dominate in the shots column with an 18-3 edge for the period and a 51-8 advantage for the game.

As the third period began, Brianna Decker scored her second straight rebound goal knocking in a shot off of Monique Lamoureux-Koll's slapshot. For the Game Lamoureux-Kolls tallied one goal and three assists while putting eight shots on net mostly from the top of the slot. Following the USA's fifth goal the Americans took their foot off the gas cruising to a 5-0 record in the tournament. In the game the Russians were out shot 68-14 with Anna Prugova joining Jocelyne Lamoureux with Best Player of the Game honors. Jocelyne had one goal, one assist on eight shots falling just two assists shy of her twin and two points shy of Brianna Decker as the teams point leaders for the game.

With the Victory the United States advances to the Championship game on Monday where they will face off with familiar foe, Canada. Russia in spite of the loss still has a shot at a bronze medal when they take on Finland in Monday's first game.

Box Score (IIHF)