It took an eight round shootout for the USA men’s hockey team to seal a 3-2 victory over Russia today at the Bolshoy Ice Dome, in Sochi.
A controversial call has left many Russian fans displeased. With 4:40 left in the third period, Russian defenseman Fyodor Tyutin scored a goal putting his team up 3-2. That goal was then taken away because the net had come off its moorings well before the puck went in.
Then with 2:30 left to play in overtime, Team U.S.A. ‘s Patrick Kane broke loose and took a shot that could have ended this intense matchup once and for all, when Russian goalie Sergei Bobrovski closed his pads and blocked the puck.
This epic game was everything a hockey fan could have hoped for. According to NHL.com, the stadium was packed with 11,678 people and was a “circus-like atmosphere with blowing air horns, waving flags, and some even dressed as flags.” However, the star of the shootout was St. Louis forward T.J. Oshie, who went 4-6. Two of his goals came in the fifth and sixth rounds, which kept Team U.S.A. alive.
According to CNN, after the game Oshie said, “I did feel pressure a little bit, but then the puck hits your stick and you start skating, it’s just you and the goalie. I was fortunate enough to keep him guessing.” U.S.A. will play Slovenia on Sunday, and with a win, they will clinch Group A as well as receive an automatic bye into the quarterfinals.
