Weiland watch: Team USA 2-0

It was another lopsided win for Kerry Weiland and the Team USA women’s hockey squad.

Weiland and the Americans improved to 2-0 with a 13-0 blasting of Russia during Winter Olympics pool play action in Vancouver on Tuesday. Team USA beat China 12-1 on Sunday.

Weiland finished with no points and an even rating, while logging more than 18 minutes of ice time. The 1999 Palmer High School graduate wasn’t credited with an official shot on goal, but did have a few nice attempts from the point. Weiland, a standout blue liner, continued to be solid on the defensive end. She also saw time as part of the Team USA power play and penalty kill units. Her ability to pass out of the zone even earned her a minute or so chatter during the MSNBC telecast.

The play-by-play announcer and color commentator, Cammi Granato, a former Team USA star, gave a little shout out to Weiland’s hometown of Palmer.

Weiland did show up on the score sheet with a two-minute minor for interference with five seconds left in regulation. If anything it actually helped Team USA. With only five seconds to kill, it was nice way to boost the Americans’ penalty kill percentage.

Weiland and the Americans are back on the ice Thursday to face Finland at 1:30 p.m. AST.

With the win over Russia, Team USA is guaranteed to finish as part of the top four for the Olympic tournament, and will advance to the medal round.

— Jeremiah Bartz