RUSSIANS SHOCKED BY UPSET
The goaltending of Boston Bruins Tuukka Rask proved to be a mountain too high to climb for the host Russians. Rask stopped 37 of 38 shots from the Russian snippers. Juhamatti Aaltonen answered an early goal by former New Jersey Devils Illya Kovalchuk. This was followed by a game-winning goal by legend Teemu Selanne. This was an Olympic record goal. Teemu is the oldest person to have ever score an Olympic goal, at 43 years of age. This was all that the Finns needed to hold on to win the game 3-1, and shock the favorite Russian squad.
CANADA SCORES LATE TO SNEEK PAST PESKY LATVIA
A late power play goal by Shea Weber at the 13:06 point of the third period broke a shocking 1-1 tie. This was not how Canada planned this one out, or for that matter how many in the hockey world thought this one would go. This late Weber goal put Canada ahead 2-1 and proved to be the game winning goal. The Latvia team, which is coached by Buffalo Sabers coach Ted Nolan showed a ton of heart in this game. Kristers Gudlevskis made a surprise start in goal, and was amazing. Canada Goalie Carey Price described Gudlevskis performance as one of the best goaltending performances he had ever seen. The 2013 Tampa Bay Lightning draft pick made 55 saves. Many of them were acrobatic and amazing. This would have been an epic upset, and one of the biggest in international hockey league history. The Latvia play was defensively strong and impressive. This performance will help further this countries hockey progression.
As for Canada, many feel that it has been a struggle thus far in the Olympics. It has, but that will all be forgotten with a win over the United States on Friday. The Canadian defenseman have carried much of the offensive load thus far, Weber and Drew Doughty have scored seven goals together, and the Canadian offense has scored six. It is a must that the Canada offense step-up and change this trend. It is critical for Canada to advance to the gold medal game.
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