In 1980 Mark Johnson helped make life difficult for the Soviets in helping Team USA to one of the biggest upsets in sports. Today as head coach, his USA women’s team was equally unkind, beating Russia in a rout.

 For the second straight game, Team USA won in a blowout, this time defeating Russia 13-0 in the women’s preliminary round. Led by Jenny Potter’s hat trick and Natalie Darwitz’s two goals, the Americans remained undefeated. Russia has not yet won a game.

 Today, the American women put on an offensive display that rivals what the Canadians have done so far here at UBC Thunderbird Arena. Team USA has scored 25 goals in its two games.

 Monique Lamoreaux scored the only goal the Americans needed at 2:19 of the first period. Lamoreaux intercepted a clearing attempt and weaved through the defense and let go of a wrist shot that beat goaltender Anna Prugova between the pads.

 At 5:48 Holly Knight blocked a shot and sent an outlet pass up to Potter in stride. Potter’s wrist shot beat Prugova. The goal was shorthanded with :43 remaining on a penalty to Caitlin Cahow who was called of for interference.

 In the period Prugova was busy facing seventeen shots. Karen Thatcher, Cahow and Potter once again would add goals to comfortably put the United States up 5-0.

While the Americans were dominant, the Russians did not help their cause by taking so many penalties. Six of the 13 goals scored were on the power play. Head coach Valentin Gureev could only watch from the bench as his team was overmatched in every aspect of the game.

When Natalie Darwitz scored he second goal of the second period, Gureev lifted Prugova from the game and inserted Mariya Onolbaeva. Potter greeted Onolbaev :46 later by scoring her third goal on the afternoon.

 By the third period the Russians were visibly frustrated. Matters were not helped when Alena Khomich deflected a Jinelle Zaugg-Siergiej shot into Russia’s net. Zaugg-Siergiej received credit for the goal, her first of the Olympics.

Russia showed some signs of life late in the second period and in spots over the third but could not sustain any pressure on Jessie Vetter. When they did the crowd, a mix of Canadian and American fans, cheered loudly in support of Russia’s efforts.

The Americans are firing on all offensive cylinders and getting important production from key players.

 Jenny Potter has been an offensive force here in Vancouver. She’s scored six goals, which leads all scorers. Holly Knight added four assists in the game giving her five so far in the tournament.

They will close out preliminary round play on Thursday against Finland. Russia will be looking for its first win against China.

Russia - USA 0:13 (0:5, 0:7, 0:1)

Goals:

1 period

0:1 М. Lamoureux (J. Lamoureux, Stack) 2.19 EQ
0:2 Potter (Knight) 5.48 SH1
0:3 Thatcher (Potter, Knight) 9.54 EQ
0:4 Cahow (Stack, Darwitz) 12.57 PP1
0:5 Potter (Knight) 15.56 PP1

2 period

0:6 Ruggiero (Chu) 20.34 PP1
0:7 Stack (М.Lamoureux) 23.16 PP1
0:8 J. Lamoureux (Darwitz) 26.01 EQ
0:9 Darwitz (Cahow) 27.50 PP1
0:10 Darwitz (Knight) 31.00 SH1
0:11 Potter (Thatcher, Bellamy) 31.46 EQ
0:12 Engstrom (Chesson) 33.32 PP1

3 period

0:13 Zaugg-Siergiej (Chesson, Stack) 41.05 EQ

Goalkeepers: Prugova (Onolbaeva - 31.00) - Vetter
Penalties: 16 - 10 min
Shots: 7 - 34 

John Sanful, IIHF.com; The Ice-hockey Federation of Russia, photo IIHF.com