New Jersey's Molly Schaus had 10 saves in goal and Monique Lamoureux, Brianna Decker and Amanda Kessel all scored within 55 seconds in the first period as the United States romped to a 9-0 victory over Switzerland on Monday to all-but clinch a spot in the Olympic women's hockey semifinals.

Molly Schaus #30 of United States looks on during the Women's Ice Hockey Preliminary Round Group A game against Switzerland
Molly Schaus #30 of United States looks on during the Women's Ice Hockey Preliminary Round Group A game against Switzerland
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It was the quickest three-goal sequence in Olympic history, with the latter two coming just eight seconds apart.

Kessel, Lamoureux and Kendall Coyne all scored twice for the Americans, and Schaus of Voorhees made 10 saves in her Sochi debut. At 2-0, the U.S. is in position for a spot in the medal round regardless of what happens on Wednesday in the game against Canada, the marquee matchup of the round-robin.

Canada was scheduled to play Finland on Monday night in its last tuneup before the North American grudge match.

Team U.S.A. has five medals so far, two gold and three bronze.

 

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