Parise fires Team USA into Olympic ice hockey semi-finals

From Sportsbeat staff, in Vancouver

 NEW JERSEY Devils' Zach Parise's double was enough to book the USA's place in the Olympic ice hockey semi finals in a controversial match at Canada Hockey Place.

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ON TARGET: Zach Parise celebrates scoring his first of two goals as the USA downed Switzerland to book their place in the semi finals (Getty Images)

Parise notched his first and second goals of the tournament so far to down a plucky if defensive Switzerland 2-0.

His first came with just over a minute gone in the third period, as he connected with a Ryan Rafalski shot which dribbled over the line and he grabbed a second in the dying stages, converting into the empty net.

At the very end of the second period, the USA thought they had broken the deadlock as Switzerland goaltender Jonas Hiller juggled the puck over his own goalline, only for officials to rule that the clock had just expired.

But it did not end up costing the USA as Parise, who was in fine form throughout, got the all important goals and booked the USA's place in the semi-finals, where they will face either 2006 Olympic silver medallists Finland or the Czech Republic.

The USA dominated the puck at Canada Hockey Place, but they ran into Anaheim Ducks goaltender Hiller in excellent form in between the Swiss pipes.

Team USA rained in 44 shots in total but only Parise's efforts found the net as a number of strikes, most notably from Parise again, struck the frame of the goal.

Switzerland were roared on by the mainly Canadian crowd, keen to see their bitter rivals suffer an upset but while they were able the frustrate the USA, they could only muster 19 shots in total, although Ryan Miller, excellent in the victory over Canada, had to be at the top of his game to ensure a shut-out.

The USA pressed for the two-goal cushion and thought they had it, soon after breaking the deadlock but, while they had the puck in the net, Ryan Kesler was called for interference and the game was called back for a review of a possible Swiss goal.

Umpires pulled the game back and reviewed the Swiss shot but ruled it had hit the post, leaving Kesler furious on the sidelines.

But in the end it proved irrelevant as the USA grabbed a goal  at the death as Parise knocked the puck into the empty net with Hiller pulled, to move to within two matches of claiming their first Olympic gold medal for 30 years.

 

AS IT HAPPENS; Day 13 of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver