U.S. Silences Canada, 5-2, Forces Finale

They booed Team USA, the American flag and the American national anthem.

Canada’s fans booed any sign of the United States at the soldout Molson Centre on Thursday night, but were strangely silent at the end - a gutsy 5-2 United States victory that set up a decisive third game in the World Cup of Hockey championship.

The victory, before 21,273 passionate Canadian fans, set up a dramatic finale on Saturday night and gained another measure of respect in the world of hockey for the United States.

“It’s something you’ve got to earn,” said United States goaltender Mike Richter, who was brilliant, making 35 saves. “We’re a good team on paper, but that means nothing. So were the Czechs. We beat Canada in the preliminary round, but that doesn’t mean as much now. We both arrived at this final segment of the tournament, and we’ll get our respect if we beat them on Saturday.”

John LeClair scored twice and Brett Hull added a key goal in the second period to propel the United States to a 3-1 lead.

Canada exerted enormous pressure on the United States in the third in a desperate attempt to avoid another game, outshooting the Americans 18-8. Canada pulled within 3-2 on a power-play goal by Joe Sakic with 5:12 left, but with Richter flipping and flopping - he made 17 saves in the period - the Americans weathered the storm.

For once, United States coach Ron Wilson could rest easy.

“We were OK the first 5 minutes of the third period,” Wilson said. “But Mike Modano took that (tripping) penalty (at 5:03) in the neutral zone, and it put us back on our heels. It took us a long time to get back in the game. I was doubting whether or not to take a timeout, but it’s probably not a good idea to see the coach on the bench behind them panicking.”

Keith Tkachuk and Scott Young ended the panic, each scoring into an empty net in the final 1:08, with the Canada goalie on the bench for an extra attacker.

Missing from the Canada lineup was their inspirational leader, Mark Messier, bedridden in his hotel room with a stomach virus.

“You don’t replace a player of his caliber,” Canada captain Wayne Gretzy said. “In the second period, we probably missed him the most.”

The United States played its worst game of the tournament on Tuesday night, losing 4-3 in overtime on a goal by Steve Yzerman. It was the first loss for the Americans after four wins, and they were determined not to duplicate it.

LeClair, who scored the game’s first goal at 7:06 of the first period, broke a 1-1 tie at 1:20 of the second period with his tournament-leading sixth goal.

Hull made it 3-1 at 15:24, faking Joseph to his knees before slipping it softly between his pads.

Just how intense the rivalry has become was never more evident than early in the second period, when 5-foot-10, 180-pound Pat LaFontaine of Canada slammed 6-4, 230-pound Eric Lindros into the boards, starting a series of hard hits that lasted the remainder of the game.