Most important, the Americans did their part to set up an epic championship game. Exactly one week after their memorable upset of Canada in round-robin play, the Americans kept their appointment for a rematch.
On any given Sunday ...
"No one expects us to win," U.S. forward Zach Parise said. "I still think we are the underdog. Would you take us in the gold-medal game? No one's betting on us to win. We're going to go into this game with nothing to lose. No pressure."
It has been fascinating to watch this group come together as a team so quickly. That is a testament to Brian Burke, the man who selected them, and Ron Wilson, the man who is coaching them. But, mostly, it says something about the players themselves. They have approached this Olympic tournament with precisely the right attitude, and they have adjusted well to each new development.
"All in all," Parise said, "I think this group is a solid group. We have a lot of character, a lot of leadership. I think today was a prime example."
After beating Canada on Sunday, the United States played its first game as a tournament heavyweight against Switzerland. Through two scoreless periods, the Americans seemed to get tighter and to press against Swiss goalie Jonas Hiller. They eked out the win, then watched as Canada blew away the very talented Russians, 7-3.
"They came at us like gorillas from a cage," Russian goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov said.
It was an apt description of an amped-up team playing with purpose and confidence, and it would have applied just as well to the American effort against Finland.
"It was almost like we were skating downhill," Parise said. "We were throwing a lot of pucks and a lot them ended up in the net."
