The Oshie Show! USA Tops Russia In A Shootout.
Oshie beats Bobrovsky
“I’m running out of moves.” exclaimed TJ Oshie to his U.S. mates. One more trick in the bag is what he would find as he beat Sergei Bobrovsky in the 8th round of the shootout. The goal gave Team USA the win over Team Russia in Sochi.
ACTION, DRAMA, CONTROVERSY
The U.S. and Russia played an absolute thriller today. Easily the best match up of the tournament so far, pitting two of the top four teams against each other. Russia’s speed and skill were met by U.S. grit and determination.
A scoreless first would give way to a 1-1 tie after two periods. Special teams were an integral part of the game as Joe Pavelski would score Team USA’s second PP goal to give them the lead. Russia would answer on the PP, when Pavel Datsyuk scored his second on a sneaky shot under Quick’s left pad.
Then the controversy. Late in the third period, Russia scored when a shot from Tyutin was deflected with an apparent high stick. Quick immediately complained to the refs. On the replay it was noticed that the net was off it’s pegs. No goal! In the NHL, that would have a been a score, but international rule states if the net is off, play is dead.
“BATMAN AND ROBBING”
Sudden death overtime had it’s moments, but none more incredible than Patrick Kane being stoned on a breakaway. The shootout would begin and the Dynamic Duo of TJ Oshie and Jonathan Quick took center stage.
Eight rounds of heart pounding action that was filled with dazzling moves and jaw-dropping saves. Pavel Datsyuk would score on 1 of his 3 chances and Ilya Kovalchuk nailed 2 of his 4 tries. However, it was the star of the game TJ Oshie that tallied 4 of his 6 chances while Quick stopped 5 of the 8 shots he faced. TEAM USA WINS!
OLYMPIC RANGERS WATCH
Although they did not score, “The Leadership Line” of Parise, Backes and Callahan were buzzing and assertive all game. Going forward you can easily see them as the high energy unit every team needs. On the blue line, Ryan McDonagh was a workhorse. He and Ryan Suter form the “Saving Pvt. Ryans” top pair for the U.S., whose job it was to shutdown Ovechkin and Malkin. Both Russian superstars had big goose eggs on the score sheet thanks to Mac Truck and Suter.
Team USA wraps up round robin play tomorrow morning at 7:30AM EST versus Slovenia.
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