U.S. women's hockey coach dropped the puck

	Coach Ben Smith's first mistake was cutting veteran Cammi Granato last August. Brian Bahr/Getty Images

TURIN, Italy -- Big Ben, the clock just struck midnight.

You've given a lot to USA Hockey in your 10 years as the women's head coach, Ben Smith, but you're done. Sure, the Scandinavian countries saved Olympic hockey by playing their hearts out, but the most memorable moment from these Games? The U.S. lost to Sweden and failed to make the gold medal game against Canada. Here's a look at the top four reasons why Big Ben must go.

1. The U.S. program has stalled while Canada has gotten better. Sweden and Finland have definitely improved. But since Nagano, the U.S. has gone backward -- from gold in 1998 to silver in 2002 and, assuming the Americans don't lose to Finland on Monday, a bronze in '06. The U.S. lost six of eight pre-Olympic matchups by a combined score of 28-5. Though the team publicly stated prior to the Olympics that those results didn't matter, it certainly seemed to damage their confidence. While Canada dusted Finland 6-0 and Sweden 8-1, Smith and his players talked about how challenging the Scandinavians would be. Said U.S. goalie Chanda Gunn, "The only people that thought it was U.S. and Canada was [the media]."

2. The U.S. did not play with conviction. With the exception of a brilliant third period against Finland, the team looked sloppy, listless and nervous from the start. They made bad line changes, and Smith was unable to pull the team together. Under Smith's leadership the team looked fragmented and unsure. While Sweden had practiced penalty shots two days before the semis, the U.S. clearly was not prepared for the best-of-five shootout. Smith, who says he hasn't lost in 17 shootouts, knows better than to let his shooters attempt to deke on choppy ice that's been played on for 30 minutes. Defenseman Angela Ruggiero and captain Krissy Wendell both deked and missed, leaving the door open for Maria Rooth to slap a low wrist shot past Gunn.

3. Losing in the semifinals is unacceptable. This is the first time the U.S. has not met Canada in a championship game since international play began for women's hockey in 1990 -- and the first time Sweden has beaten the U.S. in 26 games. Sweden goalie Kim Martin stopped 37 of 39 shots in regulation, and its best player, Rooth, scored all three goals. The U.S. had deeper talent and shot twice as often as the Swedes, but the Americans were unable to convert on a five-on-three power play that lasted nearly three minutes.

4. Smith dumped the greatest hockey player in women's history. He cut Cammi Granato, who has been the face of U.S. hockey for more than a decade, from the team last August. Granato, 34, is a two-time Olympic captain and the all-time leading scorer in women's hockey. While Cassie Campbell, Canada's captain, may no longer be a top player, she continues to contribute with her leadership and experience. The only way Smith could have salvaged his controversial decision -- and avoid a p.r. nightmare -- was to win a gold medal. Even Smith's team has questioned whether dumping Granato was a factor in the U.S.'s disappointing run. Said Ruggiero, "I'm just trying to focus on the team we have right now ... but that could resurface."

The solution? Hiring someone like Minnesota women's coach Laura Halldorson. Halldorson won back-to-back NCAA titles in 2004 and '05 with Wendell and top U.S. forwards Natalie Darwitz and Kelly Stephens, and she has taken her team to the Frozen Four four straight seasons. It's time to give her a call.