Canada Men's Ice Hockey
Canada players celebrate their progress to the semi-finals after beating Latvia. [Reuters]

USA face defending champions Canada in the semi-final of the Men's Ice Hockey competition in the ongoing Sochi Winter Olympics 2014 at the Bolshoy Ice Dome on Friday.

Where to Watch Live

The face-off is set to begin at 5:00pm GMT. Live coverage will be available on BBC Red Button 2 at 5:15pm GMT. Follow live text updates on BBC Online. Catch the highlights of the game on BBC Red Button 2 at 9:00pm GMT.

Overview

The US defeated Czech Republic, 5-2, in the quarter-finals of the Men's Ice Hockey last Wednesday. Dan Bylsma's side took the lead within two minutes after face-off courtesy of James Van Riemsdyk's goal only for the Czech's to equalise in the fifth minute after Ales Hemsky made no mistake in sending the puck past Jonathan Quick.

Dustin Brown and David Backes netted two goals for the North American side, helping them end the first period with a 3-1 lead. Zach Parise added another midway through the game before Phil Kessel made it five for the US.

Hemsky then added another goal with seven minutes remaining on the clock to make it 5-2 by the end of the game.

Meanwhile, Canada registered a narrow 2-1 win against Latvia in the previous round. The defending champions took the lead when Patrick Sharp scored, but their joy lasted just over two minutes as Lauris Darzins levelled the scores in the 16thminute.

Mike Babcock's side had to wait till the 54<sup>th minute before taking the lead as the Kristers Gudlevskis thwarted all of forwards attempts on goal. The Latvian goalie made an incredible 55 saves throughout the game but could not prevent Shea Weber from scoring the decisive goal.

Canada and USA previously met in the final of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and the former emerged 3-2 victorious in overtime to claim the gold medal.

Team Form

USA Men's Ice Hockey Team
Skipper Zach Parise (center) celebrates USA's fourth goal against Czech Republic. [Reuters]

USA

In Sochi 2014 (Last Four, most recent first): W W W W

Last Result: USA 5-2 Czech Republic

Canada

In Sochi 2014 (Last Four, most recent first): W W W W

Last Result: Canada 2-1 Latvia

Team News

USA

Goaltenders: Jonathan Quick; Ryan Miller

Defenders: Ryan Suter (+A), Ryan McDonagh; Paul Martin, Brooks Orpik; Cam Fowler, Kevin Shattenkirk; John Carlson

Forwards: Zach Parise (+C), Ryan Kesler, Patrick Kane; Joe Pavelski, James van Riemsdyk, Phil Kessel; Dustin Brown (+A), Ryan Callahan, David Backes; Paul Stastny, Blake Wheeler, Max Pacioretty, T.J. Oshie

Canada

Goaltenders: Carey Price; Roberto Luongo

Defenders: Duncan Keith, Shea Weber (+A); Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Drew Doughty; Jay Bouwmeester, Alex Pietrangelo; Dan Hamhuis

Forwards: Chris Kunitz, Patrice Bergeron, Sidney Crosby (+C); Ryan Getzlaf, Jamie Benn, Corey Perry; Patrick Marleau, Jonathan Toews (+A), Jeff Carter; Patrick Sharp, John Tavares, Martin St-Louis, Rick Nash