Turin, Italy ? First they passed the puck like children flailing at a foosball table. Then they passed the buck, with forward Mike Modano blaming USA Hockey’s leadership for the catastrophe at the 2006 Winter Olympics.

A nation that once believed in miracles is going to have to face reality today: The American hockey team unraveled here and was eliminated by Finland, 4-3, on Wednesday night. It happened on the anniversary of the “Miracle on Ice” triumph over Russia 26 years ago in Lake Placid, N.Y.

“It was the least amount of energy and pop I’ve seen,” coach Peter Laviolette said.

The U.S. team, which mixed aging NHL stars with young pros, ended the tournament with a record of 1-4-1, all the defeats by one goal. When American players last suffered through such Olympic embarrassment – in 1998 in Nagano, Japan – they expressed their frustration by thrashing their dorm rooms.

The quarterfinal loss at Palasport Olimpico did nothing to inspire interest in the NHL, which was banking on a marketing boost from the Games. It’s doubtful many U.S. fans will be enthusiastic after watching the Americans’ ponderous effort.

Sensing an impending disaster, with the Finnish ahead 1-0, Laviolette called a timeout at 10:24 of the first period.

Finland's Antero Niittymaki, left, stops a shot from the United States' Scott Gomezin the third period. Finland won, 4-3, Wednesday in Turin, Italy, eliminating the U.S. from the Olympics.

“It was not going anywhere,” he said the U.S. game plan. “They were on top of their game, and we were sitting on our heels.”

Whatever he told his charges didn’t help. One and a half minutes later, Finland expanded its lead on Sami Salo’s shorthanded goal. The Philadelphia Flyers’ Mike Knuble, who scored to make it 2-1 a minute later, said the bleak performance “kind of snowballed.”

It was more like an avalanche. The Americans played poorly in pool play but reached the single-elimination round nonetheless. Although its games were tight, the team didn’t resemble the silver medalists of Salt Lake City four years ago.

The outcome left three-time Olympian Modano questioning USA Hockey. The Dallas Stars forward called for a change of leadership, saying the organization needed “some new blood.”

“It’s probably time some things changed,” Modano said. “USA Hockey, you would think, would be more of a loyal kind of operation” and be run more efficiently.

Laviolette didn’t appreciate the remark: “People who run USA Hockey care about this organization more than anyone I know,” he said.

Whatever administrative problems might have occurred in Turin, it wasn’t hockey leaders circling the ice, cross-checking and hooking and giving the Finns multiple power-play opportunities. The onus was on Modano’s teammates, who were called for 30 minutes of penalty time to Finland’s 16.

Olli Jokinen appreciated the gaffes, scoring two power-play goals in the second period after Mathieu Schneider tied the score at 2-2 early in the second period.

Finland advanced to the semifinals, where it will play Russia on Friday. The Russians defeated Canada, 2-0, on Wednesday night.

The Finns attributed their success to being a small country where players have grown up together. Their childhood bonds made it easier to reunite for the Olympics, former San Jose Shark Teemu Selanne said.

The Finns could be in trouble because Salo, a star defenseman, suffered a shoulder injury when colliding with a teammate. He was taken to a hospital after the game, according to a Finnish television announcer.

With 12 minutes left, realizing they were in trouble, the Americans appeared to wake up; they outshot Finland 16-3 in the third period.

“They were coming hard,” defender Aki-Petteri Berg said. “They had so many scoring chances, but our goalie played good.”

Brian Gionta scored for the U.S. at 15:33 in the third to make it 4-3. The team continued to attack, almost scoring in the final minute. Goaltender Antero Niittymaki, who had 25 saves, held steady. No miracle was coming.

Laviolette said Americans shouldn’t expect another one, because U.S. hockey has become one of the world’s best programs. Winning an Olympic gold medal would have been a big accomplishment, “but short of a miracle,” he said.

On a disappointing night, Americans weren’t even allowed to believe.