Swiss slapshot! Low seats in the 3rd period gave me this amazing vantage point!
The American men's hockey team continued their strong run through the Olympic hockey tournament with an exciting 2-0 victory of Switzerland on Wednesday. I was lucky enough to secure a last minute ticket (scalper - $50) and thus caught the action live from GM Place! (Quarterfinal tickets were pre-sold without knowing who was playing in what game, so with Canada facing Russia later in the day, suddenly tickets were abundant.)
Chasing down the puck
The "upstart Americans" came into the game fresh off their 5-3 preliminary over the Canadians, and have the easiest path into the Gold Medal game. However it is the Olympics, and even the overmatched Swiss, boasting only 2 NHL players, came ready to play. There were no goals in the first two periods, despite a number of chances. Swiss goalie Jonas Hiller was spectacular, saving 42 of 43 shots on the day, and even got a little help from the horn at the end of the 2nd period when US Forward Ryan Keller's shot went into the net with 0.00 seconds remaining. A video replay confirmed the shot was after the horn, and the Americans were forced to come out strong in the 3rd and final period.
US Goalie Ryan Miller has been the player of the tournament so far.
Like the US team, my friend Dale and I looked to increase our own energy in the game during the last period - sneaking down to the 3rd row behind the US goal. This gave us the perfect vantage point to snap off action pictures and feel the energy of the game. It was an amazing atmosphere, and the Americans broke the scoreless tie with a goal from New Jersey Devil forward Zach Parise 2 minutes into the final period. The Swiss fought back hard, but in the end the US was too much and advanced 2-0 into the semi's.
Go USA!
Taking pictures of hockey was incredibly fun, and I vowed during the game that I need to be a photographer at London 2012!
Attacking the net!
~ J. Twice
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