There won't be much need for a pep talk this afternoon.
Meghan Duggan of Danvers and the USA women's hockey team realize what's at stake today when they face Sweden in the Olympic semifinals at the Canada Hockey Place in Vancouver: a much coveted spot in Thursday's gold medal game.
But they also understand they'll be facing the very same team that stunned them in the 2006 Olympic semifinals — the biggest upset in Olympic women's hockey history — and don't plan on letting the Swedes catch lightning in a bottle twice.
Today's contest is set for 3 p.m. local time (noon in Vancouver) and will be broadcast on the USA Network. Unbeaten Canada will face Finland (8 p.m. EST) in the other semifinal. The two winners will meet for the gold medal Thursday at 6:30 p.m. EST.
Skating first line left wing for the Americans, Duggan has produced three goals in as many games for the unbeaten Americans, who have blitzed their way to preliminary round victories over China (12-1), Russia (13-0) and Finland (6-0). Duggan netted a pair of scores against China in her Olympic debut, then potted a beautiful between-the-legs backhand tally in her team's most recent victory, coming against Finland.
Swedish goaltender Kim Martin, who was brilliant in defeating the USA four years ago in Turin, Italy, is back between the pipes — although she hasn't been nearly as dominating at these Olympics. She was pummelled by Canada last week, allowing 10 goals on 33 shots before being pulled from the game in an eventual 13-1 loss.
Sweden won its other two preliminary round games, shutting out Switzerland, 3-0, and besting Slovakia, 6-2.
Jamie Vetter, Duggan's University of Wisconsin teammate and close friend, is expected to be back in goal for Team USA this afternoon after posting consecutive shutouts in her first two Olympic appearances.
