U.S., Canada Prepare for Playoff Rounds

The United States and Canada start their playoff rounds today as they move closer to their anticipated showdown for the gold medal.

The United States plays Sweden. Canada, which beat Sweden, 11-0, Saturday, plays Finland.

Finland is considered the best of the rest of the field. Team Finland gave the Americans their closest game before falling, 5-0, on Saturday.

The United States has outscored its opponents, 27-1, the lone goal coming on a fluky shot from center ice by China. Canada has not given up a goal yet, while scoring 25.

United States forward Natalie Darwitz, an 18-year-old from Eagan, Minn., leads all scorers in the Olympics with six goals and an assist.

The United States has never lost in international competition, except to Canada.

The Americans have defeated Canada in eight consecutive games, dating to Canada’s victory in the 2001 world championships.

So far, the Americans have been able to keep it light in between games, having fun with their coach, Ben Smith, and his amusing and puzzling sayings.

U.S. forward Karyn Bye is keeper of a book of “Smithisms.”

The collection that Smith uses to motivate the players is growing daily. “You always say, ‘Where’s this going?’” captain Cammi Granato said. “You ponder it for a while, and then you figure it out.”

Yet the players aren’t fooled by Smith’s self-deprecating style or the folksy aphorisms like, “The hay is in the barn, ladies.”

Said Bye: “He comes up with things like that all the time. But Coach is one of the smartest people I’ve ever met.”