Norway and USA squared off in the first play-off game in the WFC2014.  Norway won 6-2 (2-0, 1-0, 3-2) after USA fought well in the match at Scandinavium.

Norway was without a doubt the better team on paper, but it was not really the case on court. USA started off a lot better than Norway and had several close shots at goal in the beginning of the match. The Norwegians had difficulties getting their head in the game but when veteran Willy Fauskanger scored 1-0 for Norway at 17.47, everything fell into place. Ole Martin Skau Jansson actually had time to score 2-0 before the end of the period.

Norway pushed ahead in the second period, but the American goalkeeper, Keven Glanzmann was on fire and only let in one goal for the Norwegians who seemed to have gotten their head back in the game.

Later, when Ole Martin Skau Jansson scored 4-0 early on in the third period, the match seemed decided, but USA came back. Ryan Winkler scored 4-1 and Jesse James scored 4-2 in power play. USA was, shortly afterwards, given the chance to play one man up but a fast break resulting in 5-2 by Ole Mossin Olesen decided the match. Norway will meet Finland in the quarter-final tomorrow.  

Full match statistics here.

Photo: Calle Ström.