Stastny scores two in US victory
Eurolanche brings you the daily recap of everything important that happened at the Olympics in Russia involving Avalanche players.The Olympic tournament in Sochi continued with 4 games, two of them involving Avalanche players. Avs forward Paul Stastny had a two-goal game against Slovakia while goalie Semyon Varlamov got the win in his first game at the Olympics against Slovenia.
Team USA opened their tournament in a big way, scoring 6 goals in the second period en route to a 7-1 victory against Slovakia. Paul Stastny helped the US side by scoring team USA’s third and fifth goal.
Stastny played nearly 14 minutes and showed great chemistry with linemates T.J. Oshie and Max Pacioretty. Stastny was a constant threat while on the ice and, proving that by having 3 shots on goal.
Slovakia – USA 1:7 (0:1, 1:6, 0:0)
Team Russia also got their tournament going with a win, beating underdog Slovenia 5-2. The Russians were off to a 2-0 start with just 4 minutes gone by in the first, thanks to goals by superstars Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin. Slovenia got one back after Žiga Jeglič got the Slovenes on the scoreboard. Former Devils player Ilya Kovalchuk restored Team Russia’s 2-goal lead, before Jeglič got the Slovenes back within one. The Russians were the only ones to score in the third, NHLers Nichuskin and Belov both found the net as Russia avoided a scare against the Olympic newcomers.
Avs goalie Semyon Varlamov got the start in favor of Sergei Bobrovsky and made 12 saves while facing a low total of 14 shots on goal. A save percentage of 85,71 doesn’t look pretty, but his first win at the Olympics sure makes up for it.
Russia – Slovenia 5:2 (2:0, 1:2, 2:0)
Canada – Norway 3:1 (0:0, 2:0, 1:1) Avs forward Matt Duchene didn’t play, but is expected to make his Olympic debut tomorrow against Austria. Former Avalanche prospect Jonas Holos served as Team Norway’s alternate captain and had an ice-time of 24:10.
Finland – Austria 8:4 (4:2, 2:0, 2:2)
Upcoming games on Friday
Czech Republic – Latvia
Sweden (Landeskog) – Switzerland
Canada (Duchene) – Austria
Norway – Finland
Sources of photos: IIHF, Twitter
Michal Hezely, Slovakia, hezely@eurolanche.com
13/02/2014 - 21:58
