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Page 2B SPORTS East Oregonian Wednesday, February 21, 2018 Winter Olympics No thoughts of Sochi agony as US chases gold once again By TERESA M. WALKER AP Sports Writer GANGNEUNG, South Korea — Dani Cameranesi watched on TV when the Americans blew a 2-0 lead with less than a minute left before losing the gold medal game to Canada four years ago at the Sochi Olympics. She uses the word “devastating” to sum up the 3-2 overtime loss . Now the Americans are back with another chance at the Olympic gold that has eluded them since they won it all in 1998, when women’s hockey made its debut at Nagano. And their archrival is in the way again. The showdown with Canada is Thursday and the Americans know exactly what this moment means. Canada has won 24 consecutive Olympic games and four straight gold medals. Only the United States in basketball has dominated a women’s team sport more thor- oughly with a streak of six straight golds. The Canadians haven’t lost even a single Olympic game since the 1998 Nagano final — won by the United States. Their streak stands at 24 consecutive games, including a 2-1 win over the United States to cap pool play a week ago. They’ve also won five straight over the Americans including four exhibi- tion victories in December prepping for the Olympics. “It’s awesome, on the world’s biggest stage, to have two power- houses going for it at the end,” AP Photo/Julio Cortez United States’ Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson (17) celebrates with her teammates after scoring a goal against Finland during the women’s hockey semifinal in Gangneung, South Korea on Monday. Canada coach Laura Schuler said. Yet the Americans have owned the world championships, winning the last four and eight of the last 10. That has only made the U.S. drought at the Olympics all the more noticeable and making this game even more special. “It’s been something I’ve been dreaming about since I was little, Cameranesi said. “So it means a lot, and to be here with this group of girls and to be with them all year has really been an honor. She is one of 13 players on the U.S. roster who know the Sochi loss only as history, not something they lived through. Winter Olympics Defenseman Kacey Bellamy, among the 10 Americans who did, thinks the newcomers will be key in keeping the Canadians from a fifth straight gold medal. “They don’t know the heart- break, Bellamy said. “We’ve tried to explain to them what it felt like, but think it’s great that they haven’t felt that. And they bring us a lot of energy to the team, and we trust every single one of them.” Two-time U.S. captain Meghan Duggan said the Americans looked at themselves in the mirror after the Sochi loss to learn what they needed to take away from it. She sees Sochi as a long time ago. “We’re focused on this Olym- pics,” she said. “It’s four years later. We got a new team. We got ... a lot of youth, excitement, energy, fresh blood, and we’re ready to go.” Under U.S. coach Robb Stauber, the Americans studiously have avoided looking at the big picture of chasing gold. Instead, they’ve focused on the old cliche of one day, one practice, one shift on the ice at a time. They’ve also made sure to enjoy the experience of being at the Winter Games more, too. Monique Lamoureux-Morando said the Americans tried to act like they had been there before in Sochi. This time around, they’ve made sure to enjoy the games as if this was their first Olympics. “There’s that balance of knowing when to shut it down, take it in and go see events and enjoy being a spectator at the Olympics, Lamoureux-Morando said. MLB Czechs eliminate US in shootout in quarterfinals Mariners’ Healy making By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Hockey Writer GANGNEUNG, South Korea — Pavel Francouz stopped all five shooters and Petr Koukal scored the shootout winner as the Czech Republic eliminated the United States from the Olym- pics with a 3-2 victory in the quarterfinals Wednesday. Jan Kovar and Tomas Kundratek scored in regula- tion for the Czech Republic, which was fresher after winning its group and getting a bye into the quarterfinals. The U.S. looked fatigued after facing Slovakia in the qualification round a day earlier and was outshot 29-20. Ryan Donato and Jim Slater scored for the U.S, which again was led by its youngest players, including speedster Troy Terry. U.S. goaltender Ryan Zapolski allowed three goals on 29 shots and one in the shotoout, while Francouz stopped 18 in regulation and overtime. “It’s tough when it comes down to the shootout,” U.S. captain Brian Gionta said. “It’s tough to swallow.” Koukal was the only player to score in overtime. Chris Bourque, Ryan Donato, Marc Arcobello, Terry and Bobby Butler couldn’t beat Francouz. Just before the shootout, Sochi Olympics shootout hero T.J. Oshie of AP Photo/Matt Slocum Brian O’Neill (9), of the United States, and Adam Po- lasek (61), of the Czech Republic, battle for the puck during the third period of the quarterfinal round of the men’s hockey game at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung, South Korea on Wednesday. the U.S. tweeted his support for Terry, but Francouz was able to save a multiple-fake try by the University of Denver player. “Sorry to let him down on that on,” Terry said. “But the goalie made a good save..” Said Francouz: “He kind of lost the puck so I got lucky.” Terry continued skating around opponents as he has done all tournament, and 6:20 in gave the U.S. a 1-0 lead. Terry sliced down the left wing and dished it to Donato, who used a double Czech screen to beat Francouz. “He’s always been someone that can raise his game in the big games,” Chuck Terry, Troy’s father, said. “That part’s not that surprising. Just the overwhelming thing of him being at the Olympics, it’s pretty cool.” The goal was Donato’s fifth in five games, passing his father and Harvard coach, Ted, who scored four for the U.S. at the 1992 Olympics. The Czechs tied it at 1 at 15:12 after 39-year-old U.S. captain — and natural winger — Brian Gionta lost the faceoff clean and Jan Kolar got it back to Kovar, who beat Zapolski from long range with a screen in front for the kind of goal that been common at this tournament. A parade to the penalty box by the U.S. beginning with a boarding call on John McCarthy at the end of the first made the opening half the second a one-sided game. On the power play and at even strength, the Czechs tilted the ice on the Americans and hemmed them in the zone, scoring a goal from Kundratek 8:14 in to go up 2-1. Just over two minutes later with the U.S. on another penalty kill and looking in serious trouble, Brian O’Neill flashed his speed once again and found Slater on the rush for the former Atlanta Thrashers forward’s first goal of the tournament. The short- handed tying goal 10:23 in was the Americans’ first shot of the second period. The teams traded chances in the third period, none better than O’Neill clanking a shot off the cross bar with just under three minutes left on an odd-man rush. The U.S. got a power play at the end of regulation and into overtime but never got a shot on net. With 35 seconds left in overtime, U.S. defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti’s shot hit Francouz and sat in the crease, but the goalie was able to cover up. “We couldn’t get the bounces,” Donato said. best of delayed start some teammates and form some relationships before I even step on the field,” PEORIA, Ariz. — Ryon Healy said. Healy has a bandage Healy joined his new teammates Tuesday for the on the top of his hand to cover stitches from Seattle Mariners’ the surgery. Last first scheduled full- December when squad workout of he commenced spring training. But offseason hitting, all he could do was he felt discomfort stand around and in his hand. watch. He informed Healy had the Mariners, took surgery last a five-week break Wednesday to Healy and upon hitting remove a bone spur in his right hand and again, the pain returned. “I kind of just expected cannot take part in drills. His prognosis for recovery it to go away and it never is four to six weeks before did,” Healy said. “That was the Mariners hope he can get the most frustrating part. There was no initial thing into games. That wasn’t the plan that I did that really irritated when the Mariners acquired it. I didn’t fall on it. I didn’t the 26-year-old Healy in lift or drop a weight on it, it a trade with the Oakland was literally just picking up Athletics last November. He a bat and hitting. ... It wasn’t is Seattle’s projected starting even something I felt last first baseman after batting season.” Healy said he has .271 with 25 home runs and 78 RBIs last year, his first regained some strength and range of motion. Mariners full major league season. But the start to his manager Scott Servais said Mariners tenure has been last week that surgery and the relatively short recovery delayed. “I can’t sit here and dwell time was the best-case on the negativity about it. I scenario for the team. Daniel Vogelbach and really have to find a positive, and that’s that my body is Mike Ford will get long going to get some rest and looks at first base in spring I get an opportunity to meet training. By JOSE M. ROMERO Associated Press BLAZERS: Went into All-Star Break last year 10 games under .500, still made playoffs Continued from 1B three games is the best such run in franchise history. Afterward, Lillard sounded like he was taking it upon himself to improve the Blazers’ playoff position. “Each season, it’s always a few teams that fall by the wayside and we’ve just got to make sure we’re not one of them,” he said. “As a leader, I’ve got to be the guy to lead that charge.” In 2015-16, Portland was 27-27 at the All-Star break after winning eight of nine games going into it. The Blazers finished the regular season 44-38 and in fifth place in the West. They got past the Clippers in the first round of the playoffs before falling to the Warriors in the conference semifinals. Last season, Portland lost three straight games to go into the break at 23-33. Shortly thereafter, an over- time loss at Detroit put them 11 games under .500. But in March, Portland caught fire and went 13-3, best in the NBA. Lillard was named the conference’s Player of the Month, averaging 29.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists and Basketball Florida at No. 19 Tennessee, 6 p.m. (ESPN2) San Jose State at No. 20 Nevada, 7 p.m. (ESPN3) 1.4 steals in 16 games. Terry Stotts was named Coach of the Month. Center Jusuf Nurkic, who came to Portland in a trade a handful of days before the All-Star break, went on to average 15.2 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 20 games with the Blazers. Portland was 14-5 with the 7-footer in the starting lineup. Portland made the playoffs for the fourth straight season, but fell in the opening round to the Warriors. This season, Portland is in the thick of the race. Lillard leads the team with 26.1 points per game, sixth in the league, while also aver- aging 6.6 assists. Backcourt teammate CJ McCollum is averaging 21.7 points, and Nurkic is at 14.1 points and 8.2 rebounds. Stotts was asked just before the break whether he was happy with the team’s position. “We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us. We’ve got a lot of teams out there fighting for playoff spots,” the coach said. “It’s not about where we are. It’s about where we’re headed.” SCOREBOARD Local slate PREP BOYS BASKETBALL Wednesday Joseph at Condon/Wheeler (1A First Round), 5:30 p.m. Arlington at Grand View Christian (1A First Round), 5:30 p.m. Saturday No. 16 Stanfield at No. 1 Western Menno- nite (2A First Round), 2:30 p.m. No. 12 Umatilla at No. 5 Horizon Christian (3A First Round), 4 p.m. No. 10 Kennedy at No. 7 Pilot Rock, 4:30 p.m. (2A First Round), 4:30 p.m. No. 9 Catlin Gabel at No. 8 Irrigon (3A First Round), 6 p.m. No. 5 Nixyaawii vs. TBD (1A Second Round), TBD PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL Friday No. 13 Weston-McEwen at No. 4 Grant Union (2A First Round), 6 p.m. No. 2 Nixyaawii vs. TBD (1A Second Round), TBD Saturday No. 9 Central Linn at No. 8 Heppner, 1 p.m. MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL Wednesday EOU at Southern Oregon (CCC Tourna- ment), 7 p.m. North Idaho at BMCC, 8 p.m. WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL Wednesday North Idaho at BMCC, 6 p.m. NBA Tuesday’s Games No games scheduled. Wednesday’s Games No games scheduled. Thursday’s Games Brooklyn at Charlotte, 4 p.m. New York at Orlando, 4 p.m. Philadelphia at Chicago, 5 p.m. Washington at Cleveland, 5 p.m. Oklahoma City at Sacramento, 7 p.m. L.A. Clippers at Golden State, 7:30 p.m. NCAA Men’s Basketball Top 25 Schedule Tuesday No. 2 Michigan St 81, Illinois 61 No. 16 Ohio St 79, Rutgers 52 No. 18 Rhode Island 95, LaSalle 93, OT No. 21 West Virginia 71, Baylor 60 Wednesday No. 4 Xavier at Georgetown, 3:30 p.m. Georgia Tech at No. 1 UVA, 4 p.m. (ESPN2) No. 15 Clemson at Virginia Tech, 4 p.m. (ACCNE) No. 10 UNC at Syracuse, 4 p.m. (ESPN) No. 17 Michigan at Penn State, 4 p.m. (BTN) No. 6 Texas Tech at Oklahoma State, 4 p.m. (ESPNU) Tulane at No. 13 Wichita State, 4:30 p.m. (CBSSN) Alabama at No. 12 Auburn, 5:30 p.m. (SECN) DePaul at No. 3 Villanova, 5:30 p.m. (FS1) Louisville at No. 5 Duke, 6 p.m. (ESPN) Pac-12 Schedule Tuesday No games scheduled. Wednesday USC at Colorado, 7:30 p.m. (FS1) NCAA Women’s Basketball Top 25 Schedule Tuesday No games scheduled. Wednesday Northwestern at No. 14 OSU, 4 p.m. Houston at No. 18 USF, 4 p.m. No. 23 Belmont at Jacksonville St., 4 p.m. No. 25 Oklahoma State at Knasas, 5 p.m. (ESPN3) No. 1 UConn at Tulane, 5 p.m. (ESPN3) Pac-12 Schedule Tuesday No games scheduled. Wednesday No games scheduled. Thursday Utah at USC, 6 p.m. Colorad oat No. 10 UCLA, 8 p.m. Hockey NHL EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Tampa Bay 60 40 17 3 83 215 161 Boston 58 37 13 8 82 Toronto 62 37 20 5 79 Florida 57 26 25 6 58 Detroit 59 24 26 9 57 Montreal 59 22 29 8 52 Ottawa 58 21 28 9 51 Buffalo 60 17 32 11 45 Metropolitan Division GP W L OT Pts Washington 60 34 19 7 75 Pittsburgh 61 35 22 4 74 Philadelphia 60 31 19 10 72 New Jersey 60 31 21 8 70 Columbus 60 30 25 5 65 Carolina 60 27 23 10 64 N.Y. Islanders 61 29 26 6 64 N.Y. Rangers 60 27 28 5 59 WESTERN CONFERENCE Central Division GP W L OT Pts Nashville 59 36 14 9 81 Winnipeg 60 35 16 9 79 Dallas 59 34 21 4 72 St. Louis 61 34 23 4 72 Minnesota 59 32 20 7 71 Colorado 59 32 23 4 68 Chicago 60 25 27 8 58 Pacific Division GP W L OT Pts Vegas 59 39 16 4 82 San Jose 60 33 19 8 74 Los Angeles 60 33 22 5 71 Anaheim 61 30 20 11 71 Calgary 60 30 21 9 69 Vancouver 60 23 30 7 53 Edmonton 59 24 31 4 52 Arizona 59 17 32 10 44 ——— Tuesday’s Games Philadelphia 3, Montreal 2, OT 191 142 205 172 166 186 157 177 151 188 158 204 143 198 GF GA 187 180 195 180 181 174 181 183 159 170 162 180 203 219 173 191 GF GA 185 154 199 161 179 157 173 156 177 169 184 177 170 173 GF GA 202 160 178 163 174 149 169 170 169 175 161 194 164 194 143 197 Tampa Bay 4, Washington 2 Columbus 2, New Jersey 1 Toronto 1, Florida 0 Nashville 3, Detroit 2 San Jose 3, St. Louis 2 Los Angeles 4, Winnipeg 3 Boston 3, Edmonton 2 Colorado 5, Vancouver 4, OT Wednesday’s Games Ottawa at Chicago, 5 p.m. Dallas at Anaheim, 7 p.m. Calgary at Vegas, 7:30 p.m. Golf PGA TOUR HONDA CLASSIC Site: Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Course: PGA National. Yardage: 7,110. Par: 70. Purse: $6.6 million. Winner’s share: $1,188,000. Television: Thursday-Friday, 2-6 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 1-2:45 p.m. (Golf Channel); 3-6 p.m. (CBS Sports). Defending champion: Rickie Fowler. Olympics Pyeongchang Winter Olympics Wednesday TV Schedule NBC 12 p.m. — Speedskating: Team Pursuit Gold Medal Finals; Cross Country Skiing: Men’s Team Sprint Gold Medal Final 5 p.m. — Alpine Skiing: Women’s Combined, Downhill (LIVE), Men’s Slalom, First Run (LIVE); Freestyle Skiing: Men’s Halfpipe Gold Medal Final (LIVE); Bobsled: Women’s Gold Medal Final Runs; Cross Country Skiing : Women’s Team Sprint Gold Medal Final 7:35 p.m. — Alpine Skiing: Women’s Combined, Downhill (LIVE), Men’s Slalom, Gold Medal Final Run (LIVE) NBCSN 2 a.m. — Men’s Curling: United States vs. Britain 4 a.m. — Ice Hockey: Men’s Quarterfinal (LIVE), Canada vs. Finland; Bobsled: Women’s Gold Medal Final Runs 7:45 a.m. — Speedskating: Men’s & Women’s Team Pursuit Gold Medal Finals; Cross Country: Men’s & Women’s Team Sprint Gold Medal Finals 10:30 a.m. — Men’s Curling: United States vs. Britain; Medal Ceremonies 2 p.m.— Hockey Game of the Day (replay) 4 p.m. — Olympic Ice; Women’s Curling: Canada vs. Olympic Athletes from Russia 7:45 p.m. — Ice Hockey: Women’s Gold Medal Game, United States vs. Canada (LIVE) 11 p.m. — Snowboarding: Men’s & Women’s Parallel Giant Slalom; Nordic Combined: Men’s Team Large Hill Gold Medal Final (LIVE); Curling: Men’s & Wom- en’s Tiebreaker USA 2 a.m. — Men’s Curling: Sweden vs. Norway 4 a.m. — Ice Hockey: Men’s Quarterfinal (LIVE), Sweden vs. Germany CNBC 2 p.m. — Women’s Curling: United States vs. Sweden
