‘94 WINTER OLYMPICS / LILLEHAMMER : It’s Crunch Time : U.S., Italy Face Off in Hockey Today With Berth in Quarterfinals at Stake

Not every Olympic hockey player from Massachusetts dreamed Sunday that the United States would defeat Italy here today to advance to the tournament’s quarterfinals.

Medford’s David Delfino, who left home six years ago to play in the Italian League, dreamed of recording the biggest upset in his adopted country’s hockey history, knowing he will have to disappoint some of his childhood friends to achieve it.

The United States (0-1-3) needs a tie or victory today to earn the final Group B playoff berth, and it faces no sure thing against Italy, 1-3-0 and seeded eighth. Although Italy has never won an Olympic hockey medal--its best finish was seventh place as host of the 1956 Cortina Games--the Italians have a scrappy team here and will look to Delfino today to solidify a sometimes shaky defense.

“I’m looking forward to it,” said Delfino, whose 32-save performance Saturday in a 7-3 romp over France put Italy in position for its first medal-round berth ever. “I’m sure I’ll be a little more anxious than usual, anxious but under control.”

Controlling his emotions while surrounded by a pro-U.S. crowd at Haakon Hall could be the key for Delfino. “When they start that chanting, ‘USA! USA!’ I’m going to implant it in David’s mind that they’re saying, ‘Del-fi-no!’ so he doesn’t think he’s Benedict Arnold stopping the puck against them,” said Bill Hughes, Italy’s goaltending coach.

Said U.S. center David Sacco, who grew up with Delfino in Medford: “I know him real well, and it’s going to be a little weird to be playing against him. But it’s for our country right now and for our pride, so we’re going to go out and play hard.”

U.S. Coach Tim Taylor acknowledged Delfino is hot.

“I get scared by a hot goaltender,” he said.

He refused to announce his own goaltender, but it’s likely to be Garth Snow because Snow is three years older than Mike Dunham and has more international experience.

“I’m going to keep the goaltending decision away from Italy,” he said. “They (sent two assistant coaches to) our practice and if they want to play that little cat-and-mouse game, I’m going to play it, too.”

He played no such games with his players Sunday. Usually expressionless behind the bench and professorial during practices, Taylor was angry and vocal Sunday, at one point halting a passing drill to criticize their efforts.

“I’d like to win a goddamned medal here!” he shouted. “Get your heads out of your . . . and pass the puck.”

His volume and his vehemence surprised his players, even after six months with him.

“He doesn’t yell that much, so you know when he speaks up, he really means it,” winger Jim Campbell said. “He wants us to get intense and remind us we can’t just turn it on and off.”