In the 1980 Olympics the U.S. brought a bunch of unknown college kids to Lake Placid to face the heavily favored Soviet Union. This time around the game was played on Russian soil, and the U.S. and Russians both had teams filled with superstars. The cold war may be over, but the hostility between these two teams still exists.
The first period started off fast paced with the both teams getting good chances on net.
Both teams were playing tight D and finishing their checks. As the period progressed Russia gained more of the momentum and eventually earned a power-play. The penalty kill was strong as the Russians weren’t able to get too many good looks on net.
After the pp the play went back to being equal. The US was going on the power-play with 36 seconds to go. The first ended with just about everything being equal.
The Second started with the US unable to capitalize on the power-play. The second period was more of the same, hard checking and defensive. With about 6 minutes down the Russians were headed on their second power-play.
Ryan Mcdonagh and Ryan Kesler both sacrificed their bodies to block shots on the PK. Kesler took one in the hand and had to go to the dressing room for repairs. Datsyuk would put the Russians up 1-0 at the 9:45 mark. He took a pass between the D and was alone on Jonathan Quick and went low glove side.
With under five minutes to go in the period, Radulov took a selfish cross checking penalty against Dustin Brown, and the Americans would capitalize. Fowler took a cross crease pass off the skate and into the net. The period ended with Patrick Kane taking a penalty.
The Russians started the third on the power-play and once again the penalty kill was blocking shots. The Russians would get another power-play after a terrible interference call.
On the PK, Quick had to make an outstanding save on Evgani Malkin, as he came sliding across the crease. At the 11:33 mark Radulov took another penalty. Once again the American PP take advantage. Pavelski came down from the point and hammered home a cross ice pass from Kane. The U.S. lead wouldn’t last long as the Russians were going on their fifth power-play.
Datsyuk would get his second of the game through a Radulov screen. Not long after that the Russians seemed to take a 3-2 lead when Tyutin fired a slap shot from the point into the top corner. The goal was reviewed and ultimately disallowed as the goal was dislodged. With 1:30 to go in regulation, the Americans were going on the power-play. They couldn’t find the back of the net and the game was headed to overtime.
The US began over time with 30 seconds left on the pp, but couldn’t convert. Halfway through OT, Kane was off on the breakaway but Bobrovsky shut the door. Kane had another good chance late, but Bob was up to the task again. The game was still tied at the end of OT, so they headed to a shootout.
Unlike NHL rules, after the first three shooters, a team can repeat shooters. T.J Oshie took full advantage of that as he scored 4 of 6 attempts. This game ranks as one of the greatest in Olympic and American history.
It was just the type of game needed to help grow hockey in America. T.J Oshie puts his name up there with the likes of Mike Eruzione as great American hockey Hero’s.
The Americans face a quick turnaround as they play Slovenia tomorrow.
They need to avoid any hangover from this game and focus on the task at hand. The Slovenian team has only one NHL player in Anze Kopitar, but they have had a strong tournament so far. They played Russia tough and beat the Slovaks 3-1 earlier in the day.
The U.S. should know more than anyone that upsets are possible. The U.S. needs a win against Slovenia to get a number one seed.
Frantz Paul says:
Jerry Hepperle
February 16, 2014 at 12:50 PM
Nice amalgamation of news reports. In college we called that plagiarism.