Ice hockey-US hit Italy for six to reach women's semi-finals

MILAN, Feb 13 : The United States ruthlessly beat Italy 6-0 on Friday to reach the semi-finals of the women's Olympic ice hockey tournament at Milano Rho Arena, where the hosts put on an incredible opening-period defensive display before succumbing to the inevitable.

The U.S. have never failed to reach the last four and the tournament favourites were not going to be denied by an Italian squad of rank outsiders playing in just their second Olympics.

Megan Keller scored the only goal before the first interval. Kendall Coyne then twice found the back of the net along with strikes from Laila Edwards, Britta Curl and Hannah Bilka in a five-goal second-period burst that provided a more realistic look to the score.

Italian captain Nadia Mattivi was sent to the penalty box for an illegal hit in the fourth minute but a spirited defence and goalie Gabriella Durante kept the Americans at bay under extreme power play pressure.

Italy had their own power play in the second half of the first period but were unable to muster a shot before they too were hit with a penalty while American captain Hilary Knight was still in the box.

With the teams playing four-on-four, Keller worked a neat one-two with Edwards and smashed a one-timer for which Durante had no chance.

Italy faced an average of one shot per minute in the first period but managed to limit the U.S. to that single goal, and Durante made a superb stick save from a shot by Abbey Murphy just before the interval.

The second period was a completely different story, with the Americans finding the net five times from their 19 shots.

Coyne's shot from behind the goal shortly after the interval crept in at Durante's corner and Coyne added another five minutes into the second period.

Italy could no