Olympics Hockey Finals

Olympics Hockey Finals

Team Canada faltered in the first round of the Olympic hockey tournament, the nation that prides itself on having invented the game held its collective breath. Not to worry: A romp over Germany in a qualifying game and a rout of Russia put this star-laden team back on track.

Or did it?

 Canada barely hung on to defeat fast-closing Slovakia in the semifinals and secure its place in Sunday’s gold-medal game at Canada Hockey Place. Adversity could bring the Canadians closer — or exhaust them.

The U.S. has run the table, relying on perseverance to subdue the stubborn Swiss in the quarterfinals and using physicality and speed to embarrass Finland in a 6-1 blowout. They have no game breakers — the closest to that is Chicago winger Patrick Kane — but their teamwork and energy have fueled their success.