MILAN, ITALY — “He’s unstoppable,”  U.S. head coach David Hoff said of Declan Farmer. “He’s the best to ever do it.” The Americans looked unstoppable as well in their semifinal win over Czechia 6-1 at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.

Over four games Farmer notched 24 points, including four hat tricks, becoming the all-time Paralympic leader in goals and points. The Americans racked up 40 goals on 166 shots while allowing only 3 goals from all opponents.

Against the Czechs, Farmer had six points while the team scored six goals on 41 shots, allowing Czechia just one goal on five shots.

Still, “the Czechs always play us pretty hard,” said Hoff. “It was a close game for most of the time. We had to stay level-headed and keep playing our game.”

Early Czechia Lead

Czechia capitalized on an Evan Nichols teeing penalty early in the first period when Michal Geier converted the power play at 5:08 to give the Czechs a 1-0 lead.

“We got scored on early, but we made sure we stayed motivated and continued to play our game,” Head Coach David Hoff said after the game. “If we do that, we know it’ll pay off.”

“Everyone gets a little scared,” Farmer added. “I had a four-and-a-half-minute shift, missed a breakaway that should have gone in, and then you allow a goal. But we’re pros. We snap out of it and stick to our process.”

The process worked as the United States answered later in the period. David Eustace threaded a pass to Travis Dodson racing in hard. Czechia goaltender Patrik Sedláček managed to stop Dodson’s shot, but left the rebound for Farmer to bury, tying the game.

“It was not exactly how we drew it up,” chuckled Eustace, “but it was great. A goal’s a goal.”

Second-period Turning Point

The Americans took the lead early in the second period. Not quite five minutes in, Farmer shot the puck wide. As the puck rebounded off the boards Eustace coraled the puck puts it in the side of the net to put the United States in front for the first time, 2-1.

Nineteen seconds later Farmer added another goal, assisted by Eustace and Dodson. The momentum had clearly shifted as the United States took a 3-1 lead into the second break.

Third-period Push

Captain Josh Pauls started the scoring in the third taking a pass from Farmer with his right hand, shifting the puck to his left and slipping the puck by the Czechia goalie’s blocker.

Farmer completed his hat trick at 37:52, and defenseman Noah Grove added another goal at 38:49.

Through four games in the tournament, U.S. goaltenders Jen Lee and Griffin LaMarre have faced only 17 shots on goal, reflecting the team’s puck control smothering defense.

“You might not know when the next shot is going to come,” Friday’s starting goaltender LaMarre said. “But when it comes, your job is to stop it. Whether it’s one or 50 shots, you’re a goaltender and you’re ready for it.”

Gold Medal Game Ahead

The United States will meet Canada in the gold medal game Sunday at 4:05 p.m. local time (11:05 a.m. Eastern) with a fourth consecutive Paralympic title on the line.

“You don’t want to get too hyped up too soon,” Farmer said. “You have to rest and recover these next couple of days and be ready for a really challenging game.”