Ben Smith Team Quotations

We're getting our starting point here and trying to put together the team in a step-by-step manner. We're developing the tactics and strategy we might employ while working on our skills on the ice and putting together what I believe will be the best 20 players.

Obviously, Canada is the No. 1 team on our hit list. But our team is shaping up quite nicely for a strong run at the (gold) medal.

I was a little concerned that somebody we consider a pillar on our team wasn't ready when the bell rang. It was one of those, 'All ashore that's going ashore,' and she wasn't ready to go.

We came to play today. ... I think we came together as a team and played well. We just want to take it one game at a time and keep moving on.

When you don't score on five-on-three, as a coach you feel haunted. That gave the Swedish team another lift and they played with even more determination.

This Canadian team is too good for us to make mistakes that turn directly into goals. That was a tough way to start.

The young players coming up in our team are really remarkable. That's one thing I hope people will remember about this year for this team: That we gave several young players a chance to take ownership and assert their place for the United States. ... I realize everybody has an opinion, and a lot of those opinions favored Cammi. But that's part of my job.

They were nice to put a team up against us that was spirited and you could tell by the reactions that it meant as much to those kids as it does to us. Hockey is hockey. I think the people liked it. It seemed like a nice crowd and just a wonderful evening.

The goalie might get into their heads. When goalies play well, it gives their team more reasons to compete. And Sweden did compete.

The goalie might get in the head of the players. That's credit to their (Sweden's) team spirit. When goalies play well, it gives their team more reasons to compete, and Sweden did compete.