In perhaps the most popular event in the Winter Olympics, The United States are highly anticipated teams in both Women’s and Men’s Ice Hockey in 2014. Only the forces of Russia and Canada are armed enough to compete with the stars and stripes this year, and, in prelim play, it is evident that any of the three can win the gold medal.
The women’s team for the U.S. began their Olympic run on February 8, cruising to victory over Finland, 3-1. Continuing their significantly uncompetitive schedule, the ladies broke a record versus Switzerland after scoring five goals in the first seven minutes, and ended the game with a 9-0 score. Disappointment struck the American women though, when Canada arrived on the ice and narrowly defeated them, 3-2, by scoring all of their three goals in the final period. The U.S. has an opportunity for redemption on February 17, when they move on to play a fairly weak Swedish team.
The ladies are second in Group A, behind their rival, Canada, with a record of 2-1. They outscore their opponents 14-4, while Canada outscores their opponents 11-2.The Russian ladies hold a 3-0 record and outscore their opponents 9-3 in Group B. This tournament looks like it will be an exciting one, yet again, as these three teams display incredible confidence and teamwork.
On the men’s side, the United States began their run with a matchup versus Slovakia on February 13, and crushing them 7-1. Just a couple days later on February 15, though, a replay of The Miracle on Ice was anticipated as Russia was on the schedule.
In a prelim matchup that has little importance on the tournament, the aura of the game between the U.S. and Russia felt like a gold medal competition. Russian fans piled into Sochi’s new hockey arena, and the famous roar of “RUS-SI-A” boomed over the ice throughout the entire game. From the very beginning, players were checking into walls, flying around the ice, and throwing their sticks everywhere. Several quarrels erupted in each period, as both teams understood what this game meant to both countries.
The first period remained scoreless after its 20 minutes, and the story was all about the United States goaltender Jonathan Quick, after he saved 13 shots on his goal. The momentum seemed to be in America’s favor until they left a lane open for one lone Russian down the middle of the ice in transition, allowing the Russians to score the first goal of the game, and Sochi’s fans erupted. The United States were able to counter though, on a power play that left the Russians playing defense one man short. When a scrum developed in front of the goal, and the Russian goaltender, Bobrovski, was left off balance, Ryan Kesler gathered a free puck and easily pushed it into the net to tie the game at 1-1.
The entire arena was silent before the third period began, anxious of what it would hold for their prized Russian squad. It seemed that the United States would take over after they scored their first goal of the period, during another power play. Patrick Kane succeeded in a cross-goal pass to Joe Pavelski, who was left with a wide open net, and gave the U.S. a 2-1 lead. This score happened with 10:28 left in the period though, too much time for Russia to tie, and that is exactly what they did at the 7:16 mark, when a Russian forward, Datsyuk, scored on a long slapshot with American Zach Parise in the penalty box. The crowd exploded again, and the United States lost the majority of their momentum, as they seemed to slow down on defense.
With 4:40 left in the period, Russian forward Tyutin hit a long slapshot into the net after an unorganized Russian debacle on offense, and it somehow made its way into the top of the net. Several Americans’ hearts skipped a beat once they realized who had the lead, but goaltender Jonathan Quick argued that the goal was dislodged, so the goal was negated, sending the game into overtime. After Patrick Kane failed on a one-on-one break to the goal, overtime finished with a tie, meaning a shootout was to take place.
After yet another tie in the three rounds of the shootout, extra rounds were needed, and the U.S. turned to no one else but TJ Oshie, by far the most creative shooter on the team, while Russia alternated shooters. Through eighth innings of shootouts, Oshie shot six of them, and, of those six shots, he made all four that the U.S. was able to score, including sending the last one through Bobrovski’s legs, leading the Americans to a thrilling victory over the Russians, 3-2!
After the incredible victory versus Russia, the men defeated Slovenia 5-1, and hold the second seed in the single-elimination tournament for their road to gold. They will have a first round bye and await the winner of Czech Republic-Slovakia to attempt to move on to the semifinals.
Both gold medal rounds for men and women ice hockey are on February 20.