Team USA’s experience overcoming adversity bodes well for their chances at gold

A lot of relief was felt throughout North America on Wednesday. After Canada survived an overtime thriller against Czechia in the quarterfinals of the men’s hockey tournament at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, the United States had their own OT scare, edging out Sweden by a score of 2-1 thanks to Quinn Hughes’ game-winning goal.

While a quick look at the U.S.’s results so far suggest they cruised through the tournament until Wednesday’s nail-biter, the truth is they’ve had moments of adversity that prepared them for this moment. The U.S. was tied 1-1 with Latvia after the first period in their first preliminary game, and was down 2-1 after the first period against Denmark in their second. They took that experience of tightly-contested hockey into Wednesday’s quarterfinal, and came away with a spot in the semifinals.

During Daily Faceoff’s post-game show on Wednesday, hosts Jonny Lazarus and Steve Peters discussed the United States’ earned comfort level in close games.

Jonny Lazarus: Were you uncomfortable? Were you comfortable? What were you feeling throughout the course of the game?

Steve Peters: I was comfortable with U.S.A. with a one-goal lead, and I’ll tell you why. With their experience through the first three games in the preliminary round, they had to defend, they had adversity. Some of these teams haven’t. Canada hasn’t, until today. With Team U.S.A., they play smart system play. They’re third guy is high. They’re good through the neutral zone. Their defense, I mean if you don’t think their defense are mobile and can move the puck after today? Their defense were amazing. I think they do the details of the game very well, so I was comfortable with a one-goal lead, but you also know that it’s just one turnover away from changing. I think if anybody can play a 1-0 game right now, with the four teams that are left, I think it’s Team U.S.A.

You can watch the full segment and entire episode here…