Paul Martin won't play for U.S.

— -- SOCHI, Russia -- The United States will be without Paul Martin, one of its top shutdown defensemen, for Friday's semifinal game against Canada, USA Hockey announced.

He had been mostly playing with his Pittsburgh Penguins teammate Brooks Orpik.

Martin has a hand injury, suffered during the quarterfinal game against the Czech Republic, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports, citing sources. Martin, who is currently wearing a splint and may eventually need a cast, will be re-evaluated in Pittsburgh, according to the paper.

Martin practiced with the team on Thursday. His place in the lineup will be taken by Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Justin Faulk, who has not played in the Americans' first four games.

John Carlson of the Washington Capitals will play with Orpik, while Faulk will be the team's seventh defenseman.

A win over Canada would send the U.S. into the gold-medal game on Sunday against Sweden, a 2-1 semifinal winner over Finland. The losers of the two semifinal games will play for the bronze Saturday night.