Patrick Kane celebrates after scoring in the first period against Finland. (Cameron Spencer/Getty)
By Chris Kuc
VANCOUVER -- The United States hit Finland with an offensive onslaught in the first period of Friday's Olympic semifinal and cruised to a 6-1 victory.
The Blackhawks' Patrick Kane had two goals as the U.S. scored all six of its goals in the first period.
"A great start to the game and after that we pretty much had to play defense and keep it safe," Kane said. "We still wanted to keep attacking but there wasn't much pressure because we got out to such a big lead.
"I feel we've yet to play our best best game. That was a great 15 minutes for us but that would have been nice to play a full 60."
The U.S. will play the winner of the Canada-Slovakia semifinal in Sunday's gold medal match, and just getting there is not enough for the young American squad, according to Kane.
"It was a great start (and) an awesome win," Kane said. "It's an awesome feeling right now that we're going to the gold-medal game and definitely coming away with a medal. But this team all along we knew we could win the gold medal and that's what our goal is still."
Actor Vince Vaughn, a Lake Forest native and fixture on the glass at Blackhawks games, made the trip to Vancouver for the game. Perhaps Kane, who had just one goal in the Olympics so far, found some inspiration from the "Dodgeball" star's presence.
"Whenever he's in the stands I seem to play pretty good so hopefully he brings me good luck," Kane said.
Note: The Blackhawks will host an Olympic Roadwatch party at ESPN Zone in Chicago at 2:15 p.m. Sunday.
Also scoring for the Americans were Zach Parise, Erik Johnson, Ryan Malone and Paul Stastny.
A gift from Finland goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff allowed the United States to get off to a good start
Kiprusoff strayed from his crease to clear the puck and passed it right to Malone who then flipped the puck into the empty net to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead 2 minutes 4 seconds into the game.
The United States went up 2-0 four minutes later when Parise scored a power-play goal.
Johnson scored at 8:36 to make it 3-0 and the rout was on when Kane back-handed home a rebound two minutes later.
Niklas Backstrom replaced Kiprusoff in goal for Finland as the U.S. scored its four goals on seven shots.
But
that didn't stop the United States. Kane greeted Backstrom with another
goal on a Finnish defensive breakdown. Stastny scored 15 seconds later
to make it 6-0.
Antii Miettinen scored Finland's lone goal late in the third period with a blast that deflected off U.S. defenseman Jack Johnson past backup Tim Thomas, who had replaced Miller midway through the period.
A commemorative Tribune book full of stories and photos about the Blackhawks' amazing year available now at 
All Bears news delivered to your mailbox on Friday and Monday mornings. 
When sports news breaks, be the first to know. (To get alerts on a mobile device, text CHISPORTS to 31286.). 
Get our updates on 
BTW - Yeah, that's right Luxembourg - you're on my radar too.
David, don't put anything past the Finns. They're diabolical. They're full of steely resolve from long winters, Chernobyl radiation, and reindeer meat. 5 million Finns is more than a match for most of the world. Give them an ally like Luxembourg and they'd walk over Europe before anyone over there knew a thing. It's possible that fear of the Finns, more than fear of the US, kept the Soviets in check through the cold war.
That Ludvig Borga did not have a truly Finnish name may have been an attempt at diversion. For years wrestlers focused on the Russians. Borga may have been attempting to pin his subversive actions on Moscow. Or at least on Ivan Koloff.
Incidentally, Ludvig Borga was played by Tony Halme, a real live Finn who went on to sit in the Finnish parliament. He shot himself last month. I think it may have been a plot to silence him.
Also, if anyone knows of a derogatory name or slur for Finns, please enlighten me. "Helstinky" is all I've got and it's pretty lame.
Brian -- you probably already know that Ludvig Borga (Tony Halma) commited suicide (gun) at his home in Finland last month? Yes, david james, "Ludvig" was a Finn.
Sorry Brian I don't follow WWF but Ludvig Borga is not a Finnish name. He sounds Russian and the Finns hate the Russians! I don't think a country with only 5 million is every going to concern itself with world domination.
Great Match! Great energy! Miller is awesome in goal. I have never seen such a lopsided victory in a medal round. If Canada doesn't play Luongo they will loose. Brodeur is just to old and slow for our boys.
I get all of my global politics from pro wrestling. Ever since Ludvig Borga sullied the WWF, I've known that the Finns were bent on world domination. Who knows how they could have parlayed a victory into political power. Kudos to the US squad for helping to stem Finland's dreams of global conquest.
USA! USA! USA!
Truly awesome. Kiprusoff had his head stuck somewhere, but the defense definitely was responsible for giving up 4 of those goals. I feel sorry for Backstrom having to come into the game cold, but the defense was non-existent.
Mikka weaka!
They're Finnished!
What the H-E-double hockey sticks is going on Kuc?