Snow Has 40 Saves for USA

They were teammates and roommates at the University of Maine, and their bond grew stronger when goaltenders Mike Dunham and Garth Snow joined Team USA in preparation for the Winter Olympics.

That friendship will endure, they say, no matter which is chosen to start in the Olympic opener Feb. 12 in Lillehammer. And while Dunham was once the sure choice, his monthlong slump, coupled with Snow’s strong play since returning from a call-up with the NHL’s Quebec Nordiques, makes that choice anything but clear.

“I know how he feels, because I struggled in August,” Snow said after making 40 saves in Team USA’s 5-2 victory over Team Canada, played before a sellout crowd of 16,215 at McNichols Arena. “We’ll get through this. At the same time, who’s to say we’re going to go with one goalie all the way through, that we’re not going to alternate? It’s a coaching decision and we’ll live with it.”

Snow gave up two goals in the first 5:20 but frustrated Team Canada (25-20-3) the rest of the way to earn his 11th victory and reduce his goals-against average to 3.15. He has won both of his starts since rejoining Team USA.

By contrast, Dunham has given up 23 goals in his last three games and lost all three. In the last six weeks, his goals-against average has gone up almost a goal, to 3.75, and his save percentage has plummeted to .871.

U.S. Coach Tim Taylor hasn’t decided whether to stick with one goalie or to alternate the two. “The idea is to play the hot goaltender and if that works with the team chemistry, go with that,” Taylor said. “If I start a goalie and he has a great game and I feel I should come back with him, I will.”

Snow outplayed his Canadian counterpart, Corey Hirsch, as Team USA improved its record to 34-15-5. Canada’s top line of Chris Kontos, Petr Nedved and Paul Kariya was blanked, though the trio produced many good chances. Kariya, drafted fourth overall by the Mighty Ducks last June, left the game with 17 seconds to play after being cut above the left eye by Brett Hauer’s stick, but he was not seriously hurt.

Jim Campbell, John Lilley, Ian Moran, Darby Hendrickson and Todd Martin scored for Team USA.