There isn't much the Chinese women's ice hockey team can do to surprise Team USA when the two nations meet Thursday at 4 p.m. in Provo's Peaks Ice Arena.
The Americans know the Chinese extremely well after playing four consecutive games against them to end the pre-Olympic tour. And nothing the Chinese did in those contests worked very well.
The United States clobbered China 16-0, 12-3, 13-0 and 7-1 on a late-January tour that took the teams to San Jose, Spokane, Boise and Denver. But another change of venue isn't likely to change the result. China has not come close to beating the United States since international competition in the sport began 12 years ago.
Thursday's early game between Finland and Germany, 11 a.m. at the Peaks, could be a little closer. The Finns beat Germany 5-2 in last year's Women's World Championships.
Wednesday, defending world champion Canada takes on Russia at 11 a.m. at the E Center and fourth-seeded Sweden meets Kazakstan at 2 p.m. in the Peaks Ice Arena.
The top-seeded Canadians, who defeated eighth-seeded Kazakstan 7-0 in their Olympic opener Monday, will need a win over Russia or against Sweden on Saturday to advance into the medal round. Similarly, a U.S. victory against China would reserve a spot for the Americans in the winners' bracket semifinals.