Should be an interesting morning at the Vault, where sidelined center Marc Savard will hold an informal chat with the Boston media for the first time in some four months and explain how he is feeling in light of last week's news that he is suffering with post-concussion syndrome.

Savard arrived in Boston yesterday, driving down in his truck from Peterborough, Ont., after returning there last weekend in light of the neuro-psych exam at Mass. General Hospital earlier in the week that revealed he was not ready to start training camp with the Bruins.

Savard also will have his opportunity to react to an on-line report on Tuesday that suggested he may not be able to play this season. The espn.com report, refuted by Boston general manager Peter Chiarelli, sourced a member of the Bruins' organization as the one who suggested that Savard's lingering symptoms could keep him sidelined.

The prolific Savard has not been seen in the Boston dressing room since the followup to Boston's elmination in Round 2 of the playoffs.

Seth Wescott, the two-time Olympic gold medalist in snowboardcross from Maine, will be pictured on the front of Wheaties cereal boxes that will hit stores next month.

Wescott is one of three American Winter Olympians to be featured. Skier Lindsey Vonn and snowboard halfpipe gold medalist Shaun White are the others.

Wheaties has been honoring athletes on its boxes since the 1930s. White and Wescott are the first snowboarders to be pictured.

Wescott won the first Olympic snowboardcross event at the Turin games in 2006, and topped the podium again in Vancouver in February. He will also be honored Saturday at Sugarloaf ski area in Maine, where he owns a popular restaurant.

Luger Megan Sweeney, of Suffield, Conn., has provided insight and commentary in occasional blog posts for Boston.com throughout the Winter Olympics. This is her final installment.

I’m sitting here in LAX on my way to Hawaii (yeah, I know … I’m spoiled) trying to process these past two days especially, but really everything that has happened. It all went by way too quickly, but looking back at it I’ve done so much.

At this particular moment I feel as if death is upon me because I’ve only slept about seven hours over the past two nights, but I knew I just had to push through to the end!

So lets start with Saturday … I went to the final of the 4-man bobsled race and watched my teammates win gold. It was so absolutely incredible and I’m so happy for those guys! So that night at the USA House in Whistler, the athletes get to present an appreciation award for someone (anyone, but mainly it’s given to coaches) to recognize their hard work and sacrifices along with the athletes’.

Here’s the thing, I’ve gone two weeks without getting emotional or crying, and it’s been tough because at times everything is very overwhelming! But when you have four big macho bobsled guys (who you know on more than just a professional level) getting choked up and even shedding tears … yeah I was trying to compose myself to some degree. But after that final event we all went into Whistler and celebrated but the following day I had plans ...

Before the award presentations I got a phone call and found out that I had won in the athletes lottery for a ticket to the gold medal hockey game! I honestly cannot put enough exclamation points to show you my excitement. I thought that going to the preliminary USA vs. Canada hockey game made my Olympics … and now this!

I knew that it was going to be a long day because what this meant was I had to catch the 8 a.m. bus from Whistler’s Athletes Village to the Vancouver Athletes Village, get in around 10 a.m., drop off my bags with all of my opening ceremonies clothing, pick up my tickets, and book it to the Stadium. I was prepared for the day ahead … I was ready … but my teammate Erin wasn't!

Someone had decided to give up his hockey ticket and so at 7:30 a.m. I burst into our room and woke Erin up and told her that we have half an hour to finish her packing and get to the bus! It was mass chaos, but by some other will she made it! It all was honestly working out too perfect.

To be completely perfect, the US would have won, but those boys fought their hearts out on that ice. I remember playing when I was younger (my Dad being my coach) and he always emphasized to “never quit playing, don’t stop until the buzzer sounds,” and that team did just that. It almost gave me a heart attack! But that game was so unbelievable and I couldn’t leave until the end, even though I was supposed to be back in the Village dressed and making my way to staging for the closing ceremonies, but lets be serious … priorities!

Immediately following the last goal of the game we booked it out of the stadium and I cannot even describe the city. The entire city was screaming, people were yelling and cheering and chanting off their balconies, horns were blaring, cars were honking … the pride and the unity that was being shown was what the Games are all about to me.

In the end we made closing ceremonies. It was such a great show, but it was so bittersweet. It didn’t seem possible that it was over! The show was beautiful, and at the end when all the athletes are told to go down to the stage, I have never seen so many people trading! I honestly couldn’t part with my Ralph Lauren outfit but people were walking away decorated in pieces of clothing from all around the world.

But now we’re here, in the airport, working off seven hours of sleep, and to be honest, I’m ready for a break. I could not imagine having the Olympics every year or even every two years! I’m pretty sure that I wouldn’t survive. These Games though were monumental to so many sports, so many athletes, even the USA won the record for most medals (37!) won by a single country, breaking the previous record from 2002.

I just am honored to be able to represent my country so I thank everyone for supporting me and I can’t wait to see what the future holds! The near one though is a beach, sun, and about 3 days of sleep ...

Professional street painter creates mural for retired US Olympians (Video by Yoon S. Byun, Globe Staff).

Vancouver scenes during the 2010 Winter Olympics. (Video by Yoon S. Byun, Globe Staff)

OVERTIME (20:00)

It's over. Canada wins gold. Crosby pots winner at 7:40 of OT. Canada, 3-2 With sides skaitng 4-on-4, Iginla and Crosby have possession on left wing wall. After dishing to Iginla, Crosby moves into circle, yelling that he's headed to net and Iginla wastes no time feeding his way. Without stopping the puck, Crosby makes quick sweep of 10-footer that goes through Miller's pads. Ecstatic Crosby tosses away gloves and stick and is mobbed by teammates as Canada Hockey Place erupts. Tremendous game.
Playing time: 2 hours, 33 minutes.

Canada getting great chances....Iginla, Heatley, Nash over a two-minute span.

Play has resumed, each side allowed four skaters.

THIRD PERIOD

End of 60:00: Tied, 2-2. Headed to OT.
Shots in regulation: Canada, 32-31.
19:35 -- Parise ties it, 2-2, for USA. Pots forehander at top of crease after Kane sends in wrister from right circle. USA with extra attacker on ice for Miller. Canada's Weber, Niedermayer and Getzlaf all around crease, unable to prevent the tenacious Parise from sweeping puck by Luongo's right pad. Clock reads 24.4 seconds to go.
During time out, USA opts for different four-man line with Miller out of cage. Wilson puts out Parise, Pavelski, Kane and Langenbrunner, backed by Suter and Rafaski.
19:05 -- Canada calls time out prior to faceoff in its end.
18:43 -- Yanks call timeout after a whistle.
Yanks spring Kessel over boards as extra skater, Miller out with 1:28 to go.
Miller turns back Crosby with 3:14 to go, Sid the Kid barreling in from own blue line with Kane in pursuit. Crosby doesn't get off good shot because of Kane's hectoring. Canada still in front, 2-1.
Yanks are about four minutes from pulling Miller for extra attacker.
With 5:05 left in regulation, Luongo stops Rafalski's short snap shot from right wing circle. Nice dish by Kane.
With 7:24 to go, Canada still out front, 2-1.
Two good chances by US, Suter at 6:00 and Kesler at 6:38. Hanging tough, finding ways to create good chances. Energy from young legs could be big edge in final 10 minutes.
4:11 -- Kesler and Getzlaf jaw at each other on way to benches.
Weber and Pronger each hit posts in opening 1:35.

SECOND PERIOD
Score after 40:00: Canada, 2-1.
Shot after two periods: Canada, 25-23.
19:07 -- Staal collects home run pass, breaks in a one and misfires high and wide on Miller.
17:25 -- Richards skulls forehand at right post off of juicy feed from Nash. It's a two-goal lead if he gets full blade on shot.
16:25 -- Suter jams at crase, moving down low from defense. USA defensemen to get more active?
15:37 -- Miller stops Weber blast without seeing it, dropping to knees and fanning out glove. Shots goes in web and then Miller reacts.
US cuts lead in half, 2-1, at 12:44. Kesler rushes to net and provides tip of Kane wrister from right wing. Deflected puck squeezes in under Luongo's right arm. NHL has to use these in-net cameras. Fabulous pictures.
Around 10:00 mark, captains Langenbrunner and Niedermayer exchange gruelling crosschecks in front of Luongo, with Langenbrunner refusing to yield right to fight for ground with USA on attack. Best display of grit to this point. And the referees let the rough stuff go.
Canada keeps up practice of easily clearing zone when USA on PP. Knock puck out of defensive end four times in just over one minute.
Penalty-- Canada, Toews (tripping), 8:25.
Canada bumps lead up to 2-0 at 7:13. Getzlaf pushes backhand pass into slot from left wing and Perry mashes in forehnader from top of crease. Initial pass, intended for Marleau, not cut off by Whitney.
Canada clears puck out of own zone five times, USA frustrated on advantage.
Penalty -- Canada, Staal (interference), 4:41.

FIRST PERIOD

First 20:00 in the books. Canada with 1-0 lead.
Shots: Canada 10, USA 7.

Staal leads all shooters with three shots on net for period.
Top ice time for USA: Suter (7:23).
Top ice time for Canada: Keith (8:00).
No one on either side logged less time than Boston's Patrice Bergeron (0:29).
It took 32 minutes to play the period. Tremendous two-way action with few stops.

Period ends with Jack Johnson jawing and pushing with Getzlaf after Johnson nails Perry with hit at horn.
Strong PK for USA. Staal gets one good crack at it around 15:45 but Miller handles short backhander.
Penalty, US, Ryan, tripping (Heatley), 14:02
12:50 -- Canada, 1-0. Toews collects Morrow rebound and pots doorstep forehander at right post, out of reach of Miller's glove hand.
9:51 -- Puck nearly bleeds over line for US lead after Brown turns corner on Doughty low on left wing and attempts forehand stuff on Luongo. Keith protects puck from going over line.
Around the 8:00 mark, Thornton engages in heavy checking in USA zone.
Dynamic pace in opening six minutes.
4:38 -- Malone shovels short backhander on Luongo. Good penetration for Yanks.
4:20 -- Doughty nearly makes it 1-0 Canada with chance down low off of Staal feed.
2:25 -- Nice Callahan hit on Seabrook in Canada's end.

Two minutes from puck drop. Miller in net for USA, Luongo for Team Canada

Warmups complete.

Team Maple Leaf defenseman last to leave the ice at noon.

The Yanks have just skated on to the ice here at Canada Hockey Place. Canadian players can be seen gathering outside their room, about to skate out for the pre-game warmup.
Warmups are scheduled to end on the hour.
We are about a half-hour from puck drop.

Greetings from Canada Hockey Place, where the puck will drop at 3:15 p.m. (ET) for the Olympic gold-medal game between the States and Provinces.

The scene is wild downtown, where customers, most of them clad in Team Canada sweaters, began lining up in the predawn hours to get preferred seating at their favorite pubs.

By 9:30 a.m., when your faithful puck scribe headed to the arena, some lines at the pubs were over 150 deep.

Lots of street hockey games being played around the arena. One game, very near the media entrance, included two policemen trading checks and shots (of the puck variety).

Souvenir Fever
Inside the arena, fans are feverishly snapping up the vastly overpriced Olympic T-shirts and ballcaps and the usual Five Ring souvenirs Speaking from experience, the stuff virtually disintegrates within weeks after the Games.

Of pucks and megabucks
Vendors of the 50-50 charity raffle, a common element of all levels of Canadian hockey, and becoming typical in the States, claim that today's winner will pocket upward of $50,000.

That's the ticket
According to an AP report this morning, ShowTimeTickets.com was offering a suite for $138,000 to today's historic match. With 20 seats in each suite, it works out to $6,900 per ticket.

Lots of talk on the street that individual seats were being scalped in the $8,000-$12,000 range.

Guardians at the door
No official word from either dressing room, but it's all but a guarantee that Team USA will go with Ryan Miller (Sabres) in net, with Boston's Tim Thomas the backup.

Look for Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo in Canada's cage and Martin Brodeur (Devils) as the backup.

A final, and then farewell: No detailed description is required today. The United States and Canada face off in an incredibly intriguing gold medal men's hockey game at 3 p.m. The closing ceremonies commence at 9 p.m.

The mood at the latter will be determined by the outcome of the former.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- We asked the question this morning while teasing this chat:

Can Sidney Crosby and Team Canada deliver the only gold medal that really matters to the host nation? Can US goalie Ryan Miller duplicate his spectacular 42-save performance in the US's thrilling 5-3 victory in the preliminaries?

The answers, as it turned out, were yes, and yes. Crosby scored an instantly legendary goal in overtime -- and putting a sad finish on another sensastional performance by Miller -- as Canada defeated the US 3-2 in overtime for the gold medal.

If you missed it, you missed a genuine epic. Need proof? Just click the "replay" button below.

We'll begin to find out at 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon, when the puck drops for a potenti

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- We caught up with NBC men's hockey analyst Pierre McGuire this afternoon to get his take on a certain vent so heavily anticipated here that it is expected to be the most watched program in the history of Canadian television.

The Canada-US gold medal game, of course.

(Seriously, what else would it be? The SalmonMasters finals?)

McGuire, who has New England ties -- one of his first coaching jobs was at Babson College in the mid-'80s and he later served as assistant general manager and coach of the Hartford Whalers -- offered several insights on what each team might do and needs to do . . . including these three things that must happen for the United States to emerge with the gold Sunday.

"Ryan Miller has to be Jim Craig," McGuire said, referencing the unforgettable performance of the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" goalie. "That's No. 1. No. 2, [the US] can't give up a lot of odd-man rushes. They can't be over-aggressive, because Canada will eat them alive. And then the third thing is, they have to capitalize on their power play. They do those three things, they can disappoint a lot of Canadians."

Miller made 42 saves on 45 shots on the teams' first meeting in Vancouver, a stunning 5-3 US victory last Sunday.

McGuire said Miller's performance in that game can't be understated, but it may need to be duplicated.

"I'm not sure that whole thing was reported correctly -- Miller deserved even more credit than he got," said McGuire. "The scoring chances were unbelievably tilted in Canada's favor. I mean, he was the story of that game, he was spectacular.

"One thing I think they'd like to do differently, the US, is be a little bit more physical than they were in the first game," he added. "It's really important for them to develop a physical presence early without picking up penalties."

A few of McGuire's other sentiments and opinions:

On whether the US forwards are too quick for Canada's defensemen: "I'm not buying that theory. I think that's fluff. Because [Canada defensemen] Duncan Keith, Shea Weber, Drew Doughty, Scotty Niedermayer, they can all skate. [Chris] Pronger is the only slow guy back there, and he's got such a long stick that he's not going to be intimidated by speed. He goes against [superstar Alex] Ovechkin all the time in Philly. I think that's one of those things where people are reaching. The American speed quotient is high, that's true, they're extremely quick. But I don't think that's going to be a deciding issue in the game."

On whether it's up to the individual play of Canada's stars to determine the outcome: "No. Canada has to play the same way it played against Russia [a 7-3 victory in the quarterfinals]: total team commitment to defense, offense, and matchups, the forecheck, shotblocking, everything. Canada, when they played against Russia, that was their best game of the tournament, and the reason why they were successful is that they took away the Russians' skill and will. They were physical, they took away space, they didn't give the Russians a lot of room, and they dominated because of that."

On whether the loss to the US actually benefited Canada's players, since it meant they had to play an additional game and allowed them to jell as a team: "Every player I've talked to on the team says it did, because it allowed [Eric] Staal to go with [Sidney] Crosby and [Jarome Iginla] and stabilized their lines, it helped create roles for the players that they were comfortable with, and it gave them confidence going into the game against Russia. So the answer is, absolutely."

On any advantage Canada and Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo might have since he's playing in his home arena: "He knows the building here, he knows the nooks and crannies of the boards. I think it's more optics than anything else. [Martin] Brodeur [who struggled in the loss to the US and hasn't played since] could have won that game against Germany [an 8-2 win for Canada] just as easy as Luongo did and I think Brodeur could have won the game against Russia just as easy as Luongo did. There wasn't a lot of testing going. You know, [Friday night], I think the Slovaks through 40 minutes only had 13 shots on goal, so I think Brodeur would have been OK in that game too."

On the importance of scoring first: "The first goal is extremely crucial, especially in a single-elimination game. When you score first in a deciding game of a Stanley Cup playoff series or a gold medal game in the Olympics, the team that scores first usually wins. And especially here, the tension is so amazingly overpowering that it's critical that everybody is energized -- the players, the coaches, and the fan base, because it's going to be a Canadian crowd. . . . If the Americans get it, it's going to be a really tough game for Canada to win. But if Canada gets a goal early, it's got a pretty good chance to be a successful afternoon."

On one player who could be the determining factor: "This is Ryan Miller's moment. Ryan Miller has to stand and deliver. If he doesn't, I think it's a tough game for the Americans to win. And for Canada, if their star players don't score, then it becomes a really difficult game for them to win."

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- It took just eight seconds for Bode Miller's bid for Olympic history to be denied. That's how long it took for the Franconia, N.H. to ski off course during the first run of the men's slalom this morning at foggy Whistler Mountain, earning a disqualification in his final event here.

But no matter, really. Miller did not secure a fourth Alpine medal, which would have been a record for a single skier at the Winter Olympics, but he does depart with a gold, silver, and bronze -- not mention a repaired reputation after his disappointing bad-boy performance in Turin, Italy four years ago.

After his race today -- the final of his five events here -- the 32-year-old Miller was gracious and somewhat reflective regarding his approach today and his third career Olympics overall. Here are a few of his comments:

On his Olympic experience here overall: “I really couldn't be much happier. To have three medals, and the two medals I didn't get I skied hard. I came out, I was ready, I was prepared that's all the stuff you can do. I know the risk I'm taking -- not many people do.

“This was challenging today in a lot of different ways. But I was still ready to go and prepared to do it. It doesn't always go your way. But overall this Olympics was amazing how many things went my way.

On how his experience here affected his attitude toward skiing: "In terms of medals, it didn't change anything. In terms of skiing, it's really positive. There are sneaky little facts that make the Olympics great. I was able to tap into them and use them to my advantage."

On why he skied out in the slalom: "The snow was really grabby. I think that's part of what's causing so many problems for the guys. We haven't skied on anything like this all year -- it's the first time any of us have seen this snow. Your skis work totally differently. That's throwing guys off and making it that much more challenging.”

On his aggressiveness: “I wanted to finish in the slalom -- I wanted to do everything I could. I wanted to go out and ski hard, 100-percent slalom and see where I stacked up.

"It's unfortunate to make a mistake so early in the course before you really have a rhythm for it. But that's the way slalom goes. When you take risks in slalom, you don't only take risks on the bottom half. You take it from the very first gate. And if you don't, you can give away a tenth of a second on the first two gates.

"You have to be willing to go out and pound through the very first gates 100 percent and make time every single spot you can, especially if you're me, there's chances you're going to be losing it little bits here and there.”

On how he will approach the rest of the World Cup season: "I'm going to stay focused, keep working hard, and keep busting my ass."

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- There are all kinds of amazing and wonderful athletes here, and I am especially dazzled by all those men and women who launch themselves skyward, proceed to do all manner of flipping, spinning and twisting, and then land adroitly on a pair of skis or a snowboard.

But when it comes to sheer fitness, and I am a thousand percent sure all the other athletes would agree, the people who take the prize are the cross-country skiers. Therefore, the two athletes who deserve our greatest respect of all at these Winter Games are Poland's Justyna Kowalczyk, who won today's Ladies' 30 K race in a desperate finish-line lunge to defeat Norway's Marit Bjoergen, and the man who wins the grandaddy of them all, Sunday's 50K extravaganza.

There is a reason why the Marathon is the tradition final event of the Summer Games. And there is a similar reason why the 50K is the final individual event at the Winter Games. But there is also a difference. As my colleague Scott Thurston says, "The 50K makes the Marathon look like the Jingle Bell Run."

Globe reporter John Powers on the 2014 Winter Olympics. (Video by Yoon S. Byun, Globe Staff)

Fast track to gold? You know your bobsled team has had a pretty fine day when it makes two runs . . . and establishes a new track record both times. USA 1, which includes Steven Holcomb, Steve Mesler, Justin Olsen, and Curt Tomasevicz, did just that Friday to grab first place midway through the four-man bobsled competition. With a combined time of 1 minute 41.75 seconds, USA 1 holds a 0.40 lead on Canada 1 and is 0.44 ahead of Germany 1 entering today's final two runs. 5:40 p.m

Once more for Bode: Bode Miller has added three medals to his collection during his time in Vancouver (OK, technically Whistler), making the Franconia, N.H. native the most decorated male Olympic skier in US history. He'll go for a fourth medal -- and the sixth of his Olympic career -- during the slalom, the final Alpine event of these games. Fellow US skier Ted Ligety also has a shot at a spot on the podium, which two New Englanders, Jimmy Cochran (Keene, N.H.) and 20-year-old Nolan Kasper (Warren, Vt.) will try to make their marks. 4:45 p.m.

And don't forget . . . . . . to watch speedskater Chad Hedrick's final Olympic race as the US battles Canada for the gold in the men's team pursuit (4:55 p.m.). Also, if you're a curling enthusiast, the men's final between Canada -- which is 10-0 here but has some ghosts to exorcise -- and Norway begins at 6 p.m..

Update, 11:15:The US 5,000-meter relay team earns the bronze -- giving Ohno his third medal in Vancouver and his eighth overall -- but the night belongs to the hosts:

Hamelin follows his victory in the 500 meters by leading Canada to gold in the 5,000, with a total time among the four team members of 6 minutes 44.24 seconds.

* * *
For a moment, it appeared Apolo Anton Ohno would collect his third medal of the Vancouver Olympics and the eighth of his record-setting short-track speedskating career.

But the moment, as they so often are in the frenetic sport, was fleeting. Two skaters had wiped out around the final turn of the 500-meters race, and Ohno, in the fourth and final position and struggling to find an opening, appeared to be a possible culprit. The replay confirmed as much to official, and instead of owning a silver medal, Ohno was disqualified.

Replay showed that Ohno made slight contact -- grazed is probably the operative word -- with Canada's Francois-Louis Tremblay while coming around the final turn. It's debatable whether it actually affected Trembley, but a split-second later he went sprawling into the boards, as did Korea's Si-Bak Sung almost immediately thereafter.

Ohno crossed the line, wobbling, behind gold medalist Charles Hamelin of Canada, who was the only racer to make it through the race cleanly. Ohno smiled but did not celebrate after the race; the look on his face seemed to suggest he knew this one was going to a jury, and the verdict wasn't certain to go in his favor.

Hamelin took the gold in 40.981 seconds. Silver went to Sung, while Tremblay took the bronze. Had everyone remained upright, Ohno would have been stride-for-stride with Tremblay for the bronze.

Coincidentally, Ohno advanced to the finals by avoiding crashes in both of his first two heats.

All together now:

That's short track!

Ohno does have a shot at one more medal tonight, in the 5,000-meter relay finals, which are coming up shortly.

And we shouldn't neglect to mention that the US team already has secured one medal tonight at Pacific Coliseum -- Katherine Reutter won the silver medal in women’s 1,000-metter short-track.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- It's another drizzly day here in Vancouver. But for the US Olympic team as a whole, the forecast remains spectacular.

By virtue of qualifying for tomorrow’s gold medal final in long-track speedskating team pursuit and by earning a spot in Sunday’s gold medal hockey game, Team USA is assured of no less than tying its record 34 medals won at the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

The US could add to that total in the final days of the Games. Short-track speedskating star Apolo Anton Ohno, who is already the most decorated Winter Olympian in US history with seven medals, including a pair here, goes for two more tonight when he competes twice in the 500 meters and the 5000-meter relay at Pacific Coliseum.

Before the Vancouver Games, the most medals the US had ever won at a non-US hosted Winter Games was 25 during the last Winter Olympics in Turino, Italy.

The US has topped the medal standings at only one other Olympic Winter Games – the 1932 Lake Placid Winter Games, when its athletes collected 12 medals.

The record for most medals won by a nation in a single Olympic Winter Games is 36, set by Germany at the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

THIRD PERIOD

USA date in gold-medal game on Sunday official. Yanks drub Finland, 6-1, to advance to championship for first time since 2002 (Salt Lake). Will take on winner of tonight's match between Canada and Slovakia.

Final shots: 25-25.

With 2:30 to go, smattering of USA fans begin to chant, ''We want Canada!....We want Canada!''

Finns finally get on board at 14:46, cut US lead to 6-1. Miettinen tees up slapper high in left wing circle and deflects to top right corner off of US defenseman. Finnish and pro-Canada fans begin chanting, ''Thomas.....Thom-as......Thom....''

With 8:00 to play, USA still with 6-0 lead.

Thomas takes over USA net with 11:31 to play. First break for Miller, the starting netminder for all five games here at Olympus.

With about 12 minutes to go, Thomas goes to room to get gear. Soon to enter game.

Thomas remains on bench for USA. Looks as if Miller will go distance, despite USA needing less than 13 minutes of first period to stake 6-0 lead.

SECOND PERIOD

Score remains 6-0, USA, at end of 40:00. USA with 22-11 shot lead.

7:00 to go, Yanks still with 6-0 lead.

Other than Jarrko Ruutu's 12 minutes in penalties, a very quiet period.

Thomas remains on USA bench, Miller still in net.

FIRST PERIOD

First period in books. USA with 6-0 lead on strength of 13-4 shot advantage. Yanks all but certain to face either Canada or Slovakia in Sunday's championship game.

Wonder if Thomas gets to move in net for period or two of appreciation duty.

Each time a goal is scored, a loud horn shakes the building, somewhat like at the TD Garden. Checking now if horn operator is seeking treatment for carpal tunnel of right index finger.

OK, stop the insanity, US makes it 6-0 at 12:46. Stastny shovels in easy forehander off of short dish from Langenbrunner. Gets any easier, coach Ron Wilson might ask Bruins goalie Tim Thomas to take a shift at forward, in full pads.

What a beating. US pots 5-0 lead at 12:31. Kane connects with wrister from right wing faceoff dot, beating Backstrom stick-side to far (left) post.

Essentially all ove at 10:08 when USA makes it 4-0. Kane pots backhander near right post after he collects own rebound from a stuff attempt on left side. Niskala fails: 1. to get loose puck and 2. to pick up the pint-sized Kane. Backstrom replaces the bedraggled Kiprusoff on the Suomi net.

USA increases lead to 3-0 with 8:36 gone. With Lydman in penalty box for boarding Brown, Erik Johnson fires in forehander from low in right wing circle, Pavelski making key diagonal feed from near left post. Finns call time out. Getting ugly.

Yanks on march, up lead to 2-0 at 6:22. With Niskala in box for interference, Parise pops out to open left post and makes forehand stuff of perfect Stastny feed. Looking like easy passage to gold game.

USA gets on board with 1-0 lead with only 2:04 gone. Grand faux pas by Kiprusoff in Finn's net. He wanders straight out of cage to handle routine loose puck and clears it directly on stick of the advancing Malone, who fires 30-footer into empty net. Linemate Kessel, parked at left post, acts as witness to perhaps the Games' easiest goal.

Underway here at Canada Hockey Place. Team USA within 60 minutes of reaching Sunday's gold medal final.

Boston's Michelle Gorgone advanced out of the qualifying round in the parallel giant slalom competition on Cypress Mountain this morning.

Her time of 40.19 in her first of two runs was the fastest among all snowboarders and earned her a berth in the field of 16 finalists. Those races begin at 3:15 p.m.

With a solid result in the bank she took a less aggressive second run and finished with a 1:24.63 combined, with her 44.44 the slowest second run among the qualifiers.

Gorgone is aiming to become just the second US medalist in parallel GS since it became an Olympic sport in 1998.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- We barely had time to fire up our interactive live blog/chat this afternoon before the US had already snatched control of today's men's hockey semifinal matchup with Finland, scoring six -- yes, six -- first-period goals. Relive the magic of the US's 6-1 win -- which assures it of a silver medal -- by clicking the "replay" button below. And remember: We'll do it all again right here for the gold-medal game Sunday.

To borrow a phrase that seems to have gained enormous currency among athletes here at the 21st Winter Games, I [naughty-worded] up.

The Canadian goaltender who blanked the Americans to win gold on Thursday was 23-year old Shannon Szabados, not Kim St Pierre. I got the respective numbers mixed up, 33 and 31, and once the idea got into my head it was firmly locked there. It is regrettable, and there is no excuse. But whoever she was, that was some darn good goaltending, eh?

A look at the host city and its Aboriginal cultural center. (Video by Yoon S. Byun, Globe Staff)

How about nine? Apolo Anton Ohno has won two medals here in Vancouver already, making him the most decorated US Winter Olympics athlete of all time. (Two golds + two silvers + three bronzes = A heck of a trophy case.) The popular short-track dynamo has a chance to add two more tonight in the 500 meters and the 5,000-meter relay. But he might not be the only story for the US on the short track at Pacific Coliseum. Katherine Reutter is a medal contender in the women's 1,000 meters. 9 p.m.

Go, go, Gorgone: The US will have just one representative in the women's parallel giant slalom at Cypress Mountain -- Boston's own Michelle Gorgone. Gorgone will attempt to become just the second US medalist since the event debuted in Nagano in 1998. There are two morning qualifying runs in the parallel GS, with a field of 16 racers advancing to the finals at 3:15 p.m.

And don't forget . . . . . . men's ice hockey, of course. (Not that you would. We're not accusing.) Ryan Miller and the United States face Finland in one semifinal, while Canada -- which looked unstoppable against Russia and has 15 goals in its past two games -- takes on Slovakia in the other. Fair to say we're all hoping for a rematch of the US's 5-3 win Sunday? Because they sure are up here. US-Finland: 3 p.m.; Canada-Slovakia: 9:30 p.m.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- When Jeret Peterson landed the most daring jump in men's aerials, "The Hurricane," he also landed something else: a silver medal.

Peterson's score of 247.21 -- the tally of his two jumps in the competition, including the 128.62 he received for executing the five twist and three flips "The Hurricane" demands -- was good for second place in the men's aerials competition tonight at Cypress Mountain.

Peterson was in the middle of the pack after the first round of jumps, fifth among 12 competitors. After completing his second jump, Peterson rejoiced immediately, waving his arms in the air, smiling and pumping his fists, and hugging and high-fiving several people standing along the edge of the mixed zone. When his score was posted, his celebration was justified -- he moved into gold-medal position with just four aerialists remaining. His score for his second jump was the third-highest for any single jump in the competition.

Peterson was eventually bumped from the top slot by Belarus's Alexei Grishin, the second-to-last aerialist to take on the ramp. Grishin, who won a bronze in Salt Lake City eight years ago but did not medal in 2006 in Turin, Italy, finished with a combined score of 248.41, just 1.20 points ahead of Peterson.

Kyle Nissen of Canada led after the first round, but he received just a 112.39 on his second jump, finishing fifth overall with a score of 239.31 to put him behind behind silver medalist Liu Zhongqing of China (242.53) and fourth-place finisher Ryan St. Onge of the US (239.93).

The medal comes with a touch of redemption for Peterson, a three-time Olympian who finished ninth in the event in 2002 at Salt Lake City and seventh in 2006 at Turin, Italy. Four years ago, Peterson couldn't complete the landing on "The Hurricane," and he was later sent home from the games after punching a friend in the face.

The medal is the third for the US in the event, along with the gold by Eric Bergoust (1998) and silver by New Hampshire's Joe Pack (2002).

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9:58 p.m. Peterson' gets bumped to silver by Belarus's Alexei Grishin. Only Canada's Kyle Nissen remains, so he is assured of at least a bronze medal.

China's Liu Zhongqing is second with a score of 242.53.

9:52 p.m.: Judging by his jubiliation after returning to earth, Jered Peterson just nailed "The Hurricane," also knowns as a back/full/triple-full/full combo that includes five spins and three spins . . .

. . . and his score confirms his gravity-defying, disorienting-just-to-watch second jump. Peterson takes over the top spot from St. Onge, scoring a 128.62 on a jump that had a 4.900 degree of difficulty.

His score of 247.21 is nearly eight points better than that of St. Onge, who sits in silver-medal position.

There are four aerialists remaining, so at the least, Peterson appears to have a good shot at a medal.

Update, 9:42: Five aerialists into the second round, and Ryan St. Onge of the US has the lead with a combined score of 239.93 after a second jump of 124.66.

With seven skiers with higher first-round scores still to come, it's unlikely he'll hold on to the top spot, but it was an impressive second jump nonetheless.

Update, 9:34: Because they jump in reverse order of finish, Peterson will jump eighth in the second round, just as he did in the first.

Funny little item from the scene: There is a white couch set up in the mixed zone for those who are in the top three positions. When someone is bumped from the top three, they have to get up and leave. It probably looks more awkward than it is. Given that this is on NBC, it's a mild surprise Jay Leno isn't sitting at a desk next to them throwing out one-liners that are weaker than . . . well, this one.

I'll stop.

Update, 9:25: So after the first of two rounds is complete, Jeret Peterson medal hopes remain in decent shape.

He's in fifth place, having been bumped down one more spot by the last of 12 jumpers, China's Jia Zongyang, who took over fourth place.

Canadian Kyle Nissen remains in the top spot, but his score is only 8.35 higher than Peterson's. The scores of each aerialists two jumps are combined to determine the winner.

Think it's time for a Hurricane warning?

Update, 9:15: Not a bad jump at all by Peterson, but if he is going to medal, he's going to have to nail "The Hurricane."

Peterson is in fourth place after his back/full/double/double-full maneuver, with four of the 12 competitors remaining. His jump had a degree of difficulty of 4.425 -- the same as that of eight others in the first round -- and he received a score of 118.57 from the judges.

He appeared to smoothly deliver all of his moves while in the air but stumbled a bit upon landing, though he did not fall. He celebrated as if he thought the score would be higher than it was, pumping his fist and hugging a few people in Team USA clothing along the edge of the mixed zone.

Ryan St. Onge of the US is in seventh place with one aerialist remaining.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- The men's aerials are underway at Cypress Mountain. The conditions are considerably improved over last night, when the women's aerialists competed in foggy, snowy conditions.

We're keeping an eye on Jeret Peterson, who goes eighth in the first of two jumps. Peterson is expected to attempt his signature move, "The Hurricane," in his second jump. It's dangerous and difficult -- it includes five midair spins and three flips and has the highest degree of difficulty, 4.900, of any jump any aerialist will attempt tonight.

His first jump will be coming up momentarily -- the sixth jumper, Belarus's Alexei Grishin, just completed his first attempt a second ago, earning a 120.58 to take second place. Canada's Kyle Nissen is first at 126.92 through six competitors.

By the way, if you are unfamiliar with Peterson's difficult (to say the least) background, Yahoo! Sports' Jeff Passan wrote an outstanding, richly detailed column about him Tuesday. Here's the link.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- South Korea's Kim Yu Na, skating with the weight of a country on her tiny shoulders, delivered a superb performance and ran away with the gold before a packed Pacific Coliseum.

Kim landed a beautiful triple lutz/triple toe opening combination that set the tone for her skate, which resulted in a world-record score of 228.56 -- a personal best by more than 18 points.

She became the first reigning world champion to win Olympic gold since American Tara Lipinski in 1998.

"I can't believe it,'' said Kim, 19. "I did my performances very clean. I don't know why I cried. This is the first time I have cried after my performance and i'm surprised I cried.''

Japan's Mao Asada took the silver with a 205.50, and Canadian Joannie Rochette won bronze (202.64) and the admiration of all those who watched,

"I feel proud and the result did not matter,'' said Rochette, skating just days after the death of her mother. "I'm happy to be on the podium. It was a lifetime project for me and my mom, and we achieved that.''

US teenager Mirai Nagasu turned in an excellent effort for a girl making her world debut and climbed from sixth after the short program to finish fourth. Teammate Rachael Flatt finished seventh.

"I think my best years are yet to come,'' said Nagasu. "At 16, you don't have the experience and the maturity that they [the medalists] skate with, so hopefully I will. I just thought about how I wanted to get here. It's been my dream since i was a little girl.

"I'm sorry I wasn't able to keep the USA trend of making the podium. I hope I can make it up at the next Olympics.''

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Update, 11:41: Rochette brings the Canadian crowd to its feet. Despite staggering out of the triple flip and skipping the late double axel, a very credible performance, especially in the wake of her mother's death. Blowing kisses to her mother in the kiss-and-cry.Should be good for bronze, unless Mirai Nagasu has a perfect skate.

If she makes the podium, it's the first medal by a Canadian woman since Liz Manley's silver in 1988 in Calgary.

Update: 11:37: Even with the two triple axels, which might have been downgraded for incomplete rotations, the double-footed triple flip on the triple-double-double combination and the singled triple loop did Mao Asada in. Canadian favorite
Joannie Rochette is next.

Update, 11:29: A superb skate under great pressure. Hitting the triple-triple was vital and landing the flip was key. If she wins, she'll be the first reigning world champion to win Olympic gold since Tara Lipinski in 1998. Bet the house.

The gold medal could be decided in the first 30 seconds. Asada has to hit both triple axels to have a chance and even then it might not be enough.

Update, 11:23: Kim Yu Na is next. She had a lead of nearly 5 points over Mao Asada after the short program but has a less demanding free skate since she doesn't do a triple axel. Her most difficult element is in the beginning -- a triple lutz-triple toe combination. But her next jump -- the triple flip -- may be trickier. She fell on it at Skate America, where Rachael Flatt beat her in the long program.
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Update, 11:13: Miki Ando of Japan is up next. She is a former world champion and the reigning bronze med\alist. Since she's more than 6 points behind Joannie Rochette in fourth, she'll need a near-perfect performance to move up because she has the easiest program of the contenders......

Nice program by Ando, but she lost some points by doing the triple loop instead of the flip and had to fight to land the triple toe. Since Rochette's planned jumps are more then 3 points higher, it'll be a stretch to medal.

Update, 11:11: Rachael Flatt of the US begins her program at precisely 11:06 and turns in a typically rock-solid skate She'll get a 10 percent bonus for her final seven jumps because they came in the second half of her program. The performance will put substantial pressure on Miki Ando and Joannie Rochette to perform cleanly.....

The marks are in and she was hit with downgraded scoring, probably for trouble with the first lutz. She sits in second.

Update, 10:22 p.m.: The planned program and song for the top six, with a couple of things worth noting. Japan's Mao Asada, in second place, will open with a triple axel and a triple axel/double toe combination. None of the other five will attempt a triple axel, rarely seen in women's skating.. However, the triple LUTZ/triple toe combination is worth more than Asada's triple/double combination, and the triple FLIP/triple toe combo is worth just as much. Got it?

RACHAEL FLATT, US (Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini)
Double axel
Triple flip/triple toe
Triple lutz
Flying camel spin
Change foot upright spin
Triple loop
Triple lutz/double toe
Spiral sequence
Triple flip/double toe/double loop
Triple salchow
Circular step sequence
Flying change foot combination spin

MIKI ANDO, Japan (Cleopatra)
Triple lutz/double loop
Triple salchow/double axel sequence
Triple flip
Change foot combination spin
Spiral sequence
Triple lutz
Triple salchow
Flying sit spin
Triple toe
Double axel/double loop/double loop
Straight line step sequence
Flying combination spin

KIM YU NA, South Korea (Concerto in F, Gershwin)
Triple lutz/triple toe
Triple flip
Double axel/double toe/double loop
Flying combination spin
Spiral sequence
Double axel/triple toe
Triple salchow
Triple lutz
Straight line step sequence
Double axel
Flying sit spin
Change foot combination spin

MAO ASADA, Japan (Bells of Moscow, Rachmaninoff)
Triple axel
Triple axel/double toe
Triple flip/double loop
Flying sit spin
Spiral sequence
Triple loop
Triple flip/double loop/double loop
Triple toe
Double axel
Flying combination spin
Straight line step sequence
Change foot combination spin

JOANNIE ROCHETTE, Canada (Samson and Delilah, St. Saens)
Triple lutz/double toe/double loop
Triiple flip
Triple loop
Flying change foot sit spin
Spiral sequence
Triple lutz
Triple toe/triple salchow sequence
Double axel/double axel sequence
Change foot combination spin
Triple salchow
Circular step sequence
Flying sit spin

MIRAI NAGASU, US (Carmen selection)
Triple lutz/double toe/double loop
Double axel/triple toe
Triple flip
Flying sit spin
Layback spin
Spiral sequence
Triple lutz
Triple loop/double axel sequence
Double axel
Triple toe
Straight line step sequence
Change foot combination spin

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- They're underway in the women's free skate at Pacific Coliseum, but the final group -- the top six after Tuesday's short program -- won't take the ice until after 11 p.m. EST. So if you're only into watching the medal contenders, feel free to tune into your other prime-time shows and check back here,

Our resident expert on figure skating and everything Olympic, John Powers, will be providing instant analysis at the end of each four-minute routine..

Here's the order in which the podium hopefuls will skate:

Rachael Flatt, US (fifth after short program) at 11:06
Miki Ando, Japan (fourth) at 11:13
Kim Yu Na, Korea (first) at 11:21
Mao Asada, Japan (second) at 11:29
Joannie Rochette, Canada (third) at 11:37
Mirai Nagasu, US (sixth) at 11:45

We'll post the planned routines for each skater shortly.

THIRD PERIOD

All done at 5:33 pm. PT Canada wins gold with 2-0 shutout of USA.
Final shots: Canada 29, USA 28.

Update: USA defenseman Molly Engstrom named tournament's best blueliner. Teammates Angela Ruggiero (D), Molly Engstrom (D) and Jenny Potter (F)) all were names to the all-star team.

Cahow thwarts 2-on-1 Canadian break-in at 17:00. Still 2-0.

Midway through period, Canadians still with 2-0 lead.

Chants of ''Can-a-da!....Can-a-da'' erupt when hosts rush puck.

Puck down at 5:05 p.m., PT

SECOND PERIOD

End of 40:00, Canadians still with 2-0 lead. USA better able to penetrate offensive zone, mount pressure. Yanks with 21-18 shot lead after two periods.

USA very effective with man-advantage late in period but still unable to put one by Szabados.

10:01 -- US penalty, Cahow, hooking.

10:50 to go in second, Canada still with 2-0 lead.

Canadians twice called for delay of game, at 2:35 and 2:58. Yanks unable to score powser-play goal. Best chance comes at 4:32 when Duggans pushes top-of-crease backhander on net, but Szabados drops to butterfly for easy stop.

Yanks get right to net, forcing Szabados to make two quick saves in opening 20 seconds. USA looks more willing to battle. Perhaps they've shaken the jitters?
Puck down at 4:21 p.m, ET.

FIRST PERIOD

First 20:00 complete. Host Canadians in lead, 2-0, on strength of 8-7 shot advantage.

Canada moves to 2-0 lead at 16:50. Poulin smacks in second of game with short forehand shovel from slot, beating Vetter glove side, about a foot off the ice. Even strength, 4-on-4.

Canada takes 1-0 led at 13:55. Poulin smacks one-timer slapper from dot in left wing faceoff circle to top right corner, by Vetter's glove hand. Sides skating full strength.

Puck is down at 3:35 pm, PT.

Sluggish start for both sides. Must be tough for both clubs to face good competition, after seeing such little resistance since arriving at Olympus.

Greetings from just off center ice at Canada Hockey Place, where in just a few minutes Team USA and Team Canada will drop the puck to determine which side of the border can claim to have the best women's hockey team in the world.
Back soon with game updates.