| 19 February 2010
Team USA scored six to best the Norwegians. Switzerland pushed Canada to a shootout before bowing to Sidney Crosby. But the first big upset of the games came in the nightcap, when Slovakia topped mighty Russia in another shootout. Another three matches today as Olympic Hockey action keeps on trucking like a Zamboni before overtime.
After the jump we'll look back at the action from yesterday and preview what you can expect tonight.
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We have a game recap up and a video USA scoring summary.
Norway face off against Switzerland on Saturday. With one point between the pair, a playoff qualifier bye is unlikely, so their matchup will determine their rankings for that round.
Team USA awaits Canada on Sunday in what may be the deciding factor for the top seed in the playoffs. Full coverage of USA-Canada will be up Saturday and Sunday.
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Our Canada-Switzerland Game recap is here. As Jenna noted, this was quite the surprise outcome. The Swiss played a disciplined game against Team USA in the opener, but they controlled the tempo and the game turned into a battle of netminders. Martin Brodeur was excellent in net for Canada, but Jonas Hiller was simply stunning in stopping a fearsome Canadian attack.
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As good as Hiller, Brodeur and Miller were in the earlier action, the battle of the netminders waged by Russia's Ilya Bryzgalov and Slovakia's Jaroslav Halak was the star attraction. Halak stopped 36 of 27 shots on net in sixty-five minutes of play and then stoned six of the seven shots he saw in the shootout. Only Ovechkin the Great putt on past Halak one-on-one. He was simply, undeniably fantastic.
The big upset of the tourney so far has thrown Group B for a loop. Russia can win the pool if they stop the Czechs on Sunday in regulation. The Czechs, who play tonight against Latvia needs to win tonight and at a minimum force an overtime against Russia on Sunday. Slovakia with but two points needs to beat Latvia on Saturday, hope for a Latvian win tonight, and then an overtime match between the Russian and Czechs. The weekend of Hockey is going to be a lot of fun to watch.
Tonight in Vancouver
Belarus and Sweden tangle in the early game. The Swedes should roll. Belarus doesn't have the horses to stick with Sweden. Except they upset Sweden in the 2002 Olympics. Both teams have a few holdovers from those games, which means Sweden won't take their nemesis lightly. Belarus looked out of their element against Finland, but if they are to have any hope of sneaking into the quarterfinals they need some points today. Our pick: Sweden 4 Belarus 1
The Czech Republic plays Latvia in the primetime tilt. The Czechs have superior talent and plenty of motivation. With a win they eliminate Slovakia from winning Group B. A win in regulation gives them the inside track at the top spot. Latvia was waxed by the Russians in their previous game. This game screams mismatch. Our pick: Czech Republic 7 Latvia 2
Finland faces Germany in the nightcap. The Germans youth and quickness may spell trouble for the oldest team in the tournament. They played a spirited game against Sweden but couldn't get past Henrik Lundqvist. Finland possesses more talent than Germany, and have more experience at this level of competition. They also have stunning depth between the pipes. They'll need whichever of their three goalies gets the nod to hold off the Germans. Our pick: Germany 3 Finland 2 in the shootout.
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