U.S. focused on Finns in semifinal

The forward lines ran drills in different-colored jerseys. The coaches diagrammed plays on a white board. The players jostled and cracked smiles.

Nothing about this practice suggested that the U.S. men's hockey team was just two wins from a most improbable gold medal.

The Americans meet Finland in a semifinal today, and some thoughts are starting to creep in about what could be in store if this unbeaten team keeps winning.

"That's only natural," said defenseman Brooks Orpik, a Stanley Cup champion with Pittsburgh last season. "If you're not thinking about that, then I think you're lying. I think that's good to kind of look ahead. You have to set your goals high, but at the same time not overlooking the game you have."

While few expected the U.S. to make such a deep run in this tournament filled with teams loaded with NHL talent, the same argument could be made for the Finns even though they captured the silver medal at the 2006 Turin Games.

Whoever wins today will advance to the gold-medal game against Canada or Slovakia. It has been 30 years since the U.S. men won gold.

"We have a very difficult game against Finland," goalie Ryan Miller said. "They are very fast, they're very well organized. I don't think we got this far by looking ahead. We've always focused on that one game we needed. This will be a bigger test for our locker room, to see if we can keep our heads in the right spot."

The Americans have been on a high since stunning Canada on Sunday in the final game of the preliminary round. That victory clinched first place in their group and excused them from having to qualify for the quarterfinals.

It set up a rematch with Switzerland, the first opponent for the U.S. in these Games. Like in the opener, the Americans were patient enough to outlast the gritty Swiss 2-0. Despite a wide edge in shots, the Americans didn't break the scoreless deadlock until the third period when forward Zach Parise scored.

"Last game we really stuck to the plan," forward Ryan Malone said. "We didn't get frustrated. That was a good test for us to make sure that everyone was on the same page."

A potent power play that has produced seven goals in four games has helped Finland make a repeat trip to the Olympic medal round.

"They're a patient team. Probably a little more experienced and talented than the Swiss," Orpik said. "The key is not take as many penalties as some of the other teams. That has been one of our strong suits, being disciplined."