Jenny Potter scores second hat trick, U.S. women beat Russia 13-0

By Josh Ferguson

Team USA went 7-for-8 on the power play on their way to a 13-0 dismantling of an inferior Russian squad in Group B play at UBC Thunderbird Arena Tuesday night.

The Russians were outshot 34-7 by the Americans and recorded nine more penalty minutes than shots on goal in the contest.

 The Lamoureux twins teamed up to get the Americans on the board just 2:19 into the first period when Monique buried a snapshot through a screen provided by sister Jocelyne.

Team USA added four more goals in the first and was off and running to an unchallenged victory.
Captain Natalie Darwitz was the top-American scorer with two goals and five points.  Kelli Stack buried her second goal of the tournament in a four-point game and Hilary Knight collected four assists.

Jenny Potter took over the tournament scoring race by netting her second hat trick in as many games to give her six in total.  Potter finished the game with four points. 

American goaltender Jessie Vetter made her first start in the Olympics and stopped all seven of the shots she faced.  

Sixteen-year-old Russian netminder Anna Prugova was chased out of the net in her Olympic debut after giving up 10 goals on 26 shots. Mariya Onolbaeva relieved Prugova midway through the second and stopped five of the eight shots she faced. 

Standout American forward Erika Lawler was still hampered by an ankle injury suffered in Game 1 of the tournament against China and did not play against Russia. 

Team USA avoided another injury to a top forward after Julie Chu took a puck off the knee when she blocked a point shot at the end of the first.  Chu would shake off the stinger and return for the rest of the game.

With the win, the Americans (2-0) advance to the medal round and will wrap up the preliminary component of their tournament on Thursday against Finland.  Russia (0-2) looks for its first win later that evening against China.