The Associated Press
U.S. goalie Mike Richter (left) reaches for the puck in front of Russia's Alexei Yashin on Friday.

U.S. storms to lead, then holds on

Richter's brilliance saves victory over Russia in semifinal

THE WASHINGTON POST

Originally published Saturday, February 23, 2002

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah -- With flawless precision and impeccable grace, the U.S. Olympic men's hockey team exacted a calculated beating on the Russians for two periods Friday.

In the third period, only the magnificence of goaltender of Mike Richter could prevent a remarkable comeback and in the end the Americans emerged with a captivating 3-2 win at the E Center, advancing to face Canada in Sunday's gold medal game.

For 40 minutes the Americans played perfect hockey, owning the puck at both ends of the ice and netting three power-play goals before having to withstand a torrid third period from Russia.

Canada ripped through Belarus, 7-1, in the other semifinal.

The Americans are ensured at least a silver medal; they had failed to place higher than fifth since taking the gold at the 1980 Winter Games. Friday's win came exactly 22 years after the 1980 team's 4-3, "Miracle on Ice" semifinal victory over Russia.

"I still can't believe we got ourselves into this position," U.S. captain Chris Chelios said. "It's almost too good to be true.

"To come down to us being in the gold medal round in our home country, it's a great feeling. I think the fans could see it and sense it, that this was our destiny. And hopefully we can finish it."

Finishing this game was difficult enough. Almost the entire third period was played in the U.S. end of the ice.

The Russians trimmed the deficit to 3-1 a mere 11 seconds into the period and pushed until the final whistle. Their coach, Hall of Fame defenseman Slava Fetisov, addressed them between periods and the words sunk in.

"I asked them to show their character," Fetisov said. "I'm proud of what the team did in the third period. They fight until the end."

On the first shift of the period Alexei Kovalev got behind defenseman Gary Suter and tucked the puck behind Richter, whose workload went from scant to merciless in a matter of seconds.

The reinvigorated Russians were flying now, and defenseman Vladimir Malakhov shot from the blueline, through a maze of skates and between Richter's pads less than four minutes into the period.

"It got hairy," U.S. defenseman Brian Rafalski said. "That's about as hairy as it gets."

A three-goal lead was suddenly down to a single goal. U.S. coach Herb Brooks urged his team to settle down, but the barrage continued. Kovalev nearly tied the game on a wraparound but Richter stretched along the goal line to stop him, then kicked aside Pavel Bure's blazing slapshot.

"They came at us so fast, they just put us on our knees," U.S. winger Scott Young said.

Richter somehow got his glove on Sergei Samsonov's delivery from the low slot and Samsonov slipped the rebound under the goalie but off the post. The Russians argued the puck had gone in, but television replays indicated it did not. The goalie had saved the day.

"We were awesome for (Richter) in the first two periods, and he came up big for us in the third," U.S. winger Brett Hull said.

Fetisov blamed the officiating for his team's loss after the game and alluded to an officiating conspiracy to set up the gold medal game.

"It was designed to have a Canada-U.S. final," Fetisov said.

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