Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Team USA started slow, but attacked in the second period, obliterating Sweden to reach the 2026 Winter Olympics gold medal match Monday in Milan.
With the 5-0 shutout, the Americans also extended the longest shutout streak in Olympics history to 331:23 of on-action action, including five shutouts. Team USA outshot the Swedes 13-2 through the first 20 minutes of the semifinal, but led just 1-0 to start the second period.
The Americans were outshot 13-11 in the bridge frame, but used four goals -- including three in a stretch of less than three minutes -- to break the game open. Balance was the key in the momentum switch, with five different players scoring in the victory.
"After the first, we came in and thought we have a little bit more to give," forward Taylor Heise, who scored the first goal of the second period, told NBC.
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