Team USA speeds to win over rival Canada in men's ice hockey preliminary round

Team USA defeated Canada, 4-2 in their Beijing Olympic men's ice hockey preliminary round showdown on Saturday, outskating their archrivals and preying on Canadian mistakes.

Captain Andy Miele had a goal and an assist while goalie Strauss Mann made 35 saves for the U.S. (2-0-0), which took over first place in Group A ahead of Canada (1-1-0). The last win for Team USA over Canada in men's Olympic hockey was on Feb. 21, 2010, at the Vancouver Winter Games.

It was statement win for the Americans. While Canada brought a veteran-laden team to Beijing — their captain Eric Staal is a 17-year NHL veteran — the U.S. roster is comprised primarily of NCAA players. Their moments of inexperience were overshadowed by their speed and tenacious forechecking against Canada.

Canada struck first just 1:24 into the game. After U.S. forward Ben Meyers turned the puck over at center ice, Canada's Josh Ho-Sang sent a pass across the attacking zone to forward Mat Robinson. He sent a long distance shot from the wing that goalie Strauss Mann misplayed, not getting his stick down on the ice to block it, and Canada had the early 1-0 lead.

Rather than getting down, the U.S. struck back quickly thanks to two of the professional veterans on the team. Just 1:10 later, U.S. captain Andy Miele took a terrific touch pass from Brian O'Neill to break in on a 2-on-1. Defenseman Alex Grant slid down to block a potential pass to U.S. forward Kenny Agostino, but Miele kept the puck and deposited a backhand shot over goalie Eddie Pasquale, who had dropped to the ice too early.

The U.S. took the lead with 1:16 left in the first period. Defenseman Jake Sanderson, who arrived late to the Olympics after being in the COVID-19 protocol, skated the puck deep into the