With the NHLers now not within the Olympics for the second one time in a row, the Russians are favoured through many to protect their males’s hockey name.
One recreation does now not make a event, however Wednesday’s opener confirmed that the Russians are not going to breeze to the name.
A fortunate leap for former Edmonton Oiler Anton Slepyshev equipped the Russians with the one function in a 1-0 win over Switzerland.
Slepyshev’s backhander from under the function line bounced off somebody and were given previous former Calgary Flames goaltender Reto Berra with 2.7 seconds left within the first length.
Russian goalie Ivan Fedotov made 33 saves for the shutout.
The Swiss pressed laborious for the equalizer down the stretch. Fabrice Herzog — a fifth-round Toronto Maple Leafs select in 2013 who hasn’t performed within the NHL — hit the publish when he overlooked an open internet on a rebound with lower than 5 mins left.
Herzog had some other probability from point-blank vary within the ultimate minute however fired top.
With the KHL regarded as the second-best league on this planet, it is in most cases stated that the Russians can put in combination the most efficient roster minus NHLers.
However not anything got here simple towards the Swiss, who’ve fallen wanting the quarterfinals the previous two Olympics.
Switzerland outshot the Russians 33-30.
Thursday time table
Sweden vs. Latvia, 11:10 p.m. ET (Wednesday)
Finland vs. Slovakia, 3:40 a.m.
Canada vs. Germany, 8:10 a.m.
China vs. United States, 8:10 a.m.
Thursday highlight
China makes its Olympic males’s debut after the Global Ice Hockey Federation determined to not change the host nation with Norway in December. There have been issues concerning the host nation’s roster, which can function 11 Canadians. China’s avid gamers were enjoying with the KHL’s Kunlun Pink Superstar this season.
Girls’s event
The primary quarterfinal is going Thursday at 11:10 p.m. ET when the American citizens face the Czech Republic. Canada performs its quarterfinal Friday at 8:10 a.m. ET towards Sweden. The Russians meet Switzerland Friday at 11:10 p.m. ET and Japan takes on Finland on Saturday at 3:40 a.m. ET.
