USA Flops in Semi-Finals

It's been quite a 10-day span for hockey. The World Junior Championships are in town, the Winter Classic was a success (well it was for Washington fans), and the IIHF got their dream match-up. Team USA and Team Canada have a deep-seeded rivalry like none other, and now they get a chance to face off, albeit, in the semi-finals. The winner of this game will get a chance to play Russia for the glory and the gold, the loser playing Sweden for the bronze. Though it cannot hope to match the significance of the last three North American games (USA/Canada Olympic bracket game, Olympic Gold Medal game and last year's WJC Championship game), it had intensity in its own right. Despite having the international tournament in Buffalo, New York, the game got under way in a mostly red building.
Team Canada got it started early with a goal from Curtis Hamilton. Storming the slot, Hamilton easily put the puck past USA goalie Jack Campbell who was far too aggressive on the play. Drawn out of his crease, he left the net wide open. Canada's Quinton Howden scored again with 6 minutes left in the first period on a nice tic-tac-toe play. Though physical, Team USA looked jittery and unsure of themselves, especially after the second goal. Campbell played at the top of his crease for much of the period, and was slow from post to post.
The United States got a chance to try out their second ranked power play at the start of the second period, but scoring no goals. With one second left on the penalty kill, Canada was given a chance to test out their power play, with a 5 on 3 for two minutes. With 35 seconds left, Canada scored a third goal. Jack Campbell made a few big saves, but often enough it looked as though he was out there playing alone. The last half of the period, Team USA began to get a few quality shots, however none went in.
The third period brought a breakout goal from Zach Kassian, making it 4-0 Canada. It took Team USA nearly 50 minutes to get a goal. Forward Chris Brown went upstairs on the Canadian goalie, giving Team USA a glimer of hope.
Sadly enough, USA wasn't able to pull through. Look for them to play Team Sweden on Wednesday at 330 on NHL Network. Team Canada (oh what a bitter taste that leaves in my mouth) will be playing Team Russia the same day at 730. Who besides me is hoping for a Russian victory?