Top-Seeded Team USA Men's Hockey A Big Favorite Over Swiss

Sports News - February 24th, 2010 - Written By John Ritter

Team USA's stunning upset of Canada has drawn comparisons of the "Miracle On Ice" of 30 years ago. And similarly, the Americans still have work to do to win gold at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

For the second time this tournament, the U.S. will have to fend off a feisty Swiss team fresh off a win over Belarus. Switzerland advanced to the quarterfinals and will attempt to be the first men's ice hockey team to beat the Americans Wednesday night.

The U.S. is favored by three, according to BetUS. It was favored by two against Switzerland last time around, and pushed.

And why not? Sweeping the round-robin group last week meant the U.S. earned the top seed in the single-elimination tournament and a bye into the quarterfinals. No team scored more than the Americans in the preliminary rounds, and Ryan Miller has suddenly earned himself the honor of top goalie.

They have already beaten Switzerland, 3-1, in the opening match of the tournament, and with Finland the only other real challenge left in their bracket, many consider the them to be the favorite to reach the championship.

Everyone but Team USA, that is.

“I’d still say we would be the underdogs on our lack of experience, certainly now that the tournament takes on a whole new meaning with single elimination,” forward Chris Drury said.

But without having to face Russia or Canada, the favorites to win gold heading in, predicting at least a silver finish is suddenly a lot less ambitious. Actually, Olympic Betting Lines have the Americans listed as a 3/1 favorite to win gold via Bodog.

The U.S. set it's course with a dramatic 5-3 win over the Canadians last Sunday that dropped the host team to a sixth seed and a date with Russia on Wednesday night. Despite being outshot 45-23, the Americans made the most of their opportunities, and Miller saved 42.

“It’s probably one of the biggest games I’ve ever played,” Miller remarked. “When things happened we responded. We didn’t get nervous or anxious. We kept playing.”

Brian Rafalski scored two goals in the win, and Jamie Langenbrunner and Chris Drury added one of their own. The United States is averaging almost five goals per game, while Switzerland is averaging just 2.7.

“We know we can beat anybody now,” said Rafalski.

Switzerland has failed to distinguish itself on the ice throughout the tournament, winning once via overtime, and losing once via shootout. The Swiss eeked by Belarus Tuesday night, 3-2, on goals by Thomas Deruns and Romano Lemm.

The winner will face either Finland or Czech Republic on Friday.