In a day of surprises in Men’s Hockey that started with Canada’s continued problems with Switzerland, Russia was shocked with a 2-1 shoot-out loss to Slovakia 2-1.
With many pointing to the ultimate of finals, that being Canada versus Russia, few expected the problems they both had on Thursday evening but now both nations must adjust quickly or facing extreme disappointment.
Though Slovakia tend to play a lot stronger in big games than their world ranking would suggest and dealt Russia a similar loss in Torino, Jaroslav Halák walling up, particularly with in the shoot out with two saves on Alexandr Ovechkin was far beyond expectation.
The story of the night was Russia's inability to deal with the Slovaks hard checking defence and hot goaltender Jaroslav Halák. After Russia took the lead with Alexey Morozov's goal in the second period, the Montréal Canadiens goalie was impossible to beat. Russia's sloppy play forced them to kill off too many penalties as well as looking oddly leg weary before midway of the third period, Pavol Demitra set-up Marian Hossa in the slot for a one timer the send the game to overtime. Unable to settle things during the overtime, Jaroslav Halák took over with notables’ saves of Evgeni Malkin and Alexandr Ovechkin twice before Pavol Demitra beat Ilya Bryzgalov to give the Slovaks the win.
Russia will now turn its attention to Czech Republic in what has turned into a "must win" situation.
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