Huge Upset in Mens Olympic Hockey
19 Feb, 2014
Finland eliminated Russia from the Olympic men’s hockey tournament with a 3-1 victory Wednesday, putting a stunning end to the Russians’ enormous expectations at home.
Teemu Selanne scored an early goal and Tuukka Rask made 37 saves as Finland crushed the Russians’ dreams of winning hockey gold in front of their own fans. Russian teams have won eight gold medals in hockey, but none in the last 22 years.
Selanne and Mikael Granlund each had a goal and an assist for the steady Finns, who overcame an early deficit and silenced the Bolshoy Ice Dome with two goals in the first period.
Despite its roster of high-priced offensive stars, Russia couldn’t score in the final 52 minutes after Ilya Kovalchuk’s early power-play goal.
Finland will face top-seeded Sweden in the semifinals on Friday.
Russia has failed to win a medal in three straight Olympics since 2002, and even home-ice advantage couldn’t end the embarrassing drought.
AP
Image Reuters
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