Slovak players rejoice in advancing to the quarterfinals▶ Click here for a larger view
World men’s ice hockey ‘Ryanggang’ The United States and Canada were eliminated together in the quarterfinals of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
Slovakia won the men’s ice hockey quarterfinals 3-2 at the National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China on the 16th following a close match (shootout) with the United States.
Slovakia caused a stir for two days in a row following beating Germany, the runners-up team in Pyeongchang 2018, 4-0 in the play-off to advance to the quarterfinals the day before.
With 43.7 seconds left in the game, Slovakia captain Marek Hrvik scored a dramatic equalizer to turn the game around.
Slovakia, who was drawn to 1-2 and lost heavily, attacked all with 1 minute and 33 seconds left in the end, even the goalie, and this operation was effective.
Slovak goalie Patrick Rivar led the victory with a decisive performance by blocking all pucks from five American shooters in the shootout.
The United States advanced to the quarterfinals as the top seed, but fell to Slovakia, the 8th seed, and became a victim of a catastrophe.
The United States also lost 2-3 in Pyeongchang four years ago in the quarterfinals to the Czech Republic in a close match going to a shootout.
Slavkovsky’s opening goal scene▶ Click here for a larger view
Slovakia was founded in 1993 when Czechoslovakia and Slovakia separated from each other. The United States was counter-punched to the Czech Republic and Slovakia in turn.
Slovakia got off to a good start with a goal from Yurai Slavkovsky at 11:45 minutes in the first period.
Born in 2004, he is the youngest ice hockey player to participate in this tournament, and has led the tournament in scoring with five goals.
Slovak goalie Rivar defends the shotout▶ Click here for a larger view
The United States counter-attacked and turned the game around with Nick Arbuzigi’s equalizing goal just before the end of the first period.
Then, at 8:56 in the second period, in the course of a counterattack, Sam Henges scored a comeback goal and turned the tide of the game.
But the US mightn’t run any further.
In the 3rd period alone, there were 4 power play opportunities, including 3 chances of power play (number of superiority due to the opponent being sent off), but no additional goals were scored.
In the end, the United States allowed an equalizing goal at the end of the game and missed the win.
somber canadian bench▶ Click here for a larger view
The United States, ranked 4th in the world, has won two gold medals, eight silver medals, and one bronze medal in men’s ice hockey at the Olympic Games.
With a total of 11 medals, it is the second highest in the world following Canada (16).
However, the United States suffered a bitter taste of being eliminated from the quarterfinals in two consecutive tournaments in Pyeongchang and Beijing, where players from the North American Ice Hockey League (NHL), the world’s best league, did not participate.
Canada, which won the most 9 gold medals, also failed to advance to the quarterfinals and shattered its pride. Canada lost 2-0 to Sweden.
Canada, which prides itself on being the home of ice hockey, won gold medals twice in a row at Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014.
He also won a bronze medal in Pyeongchang, where his power was weakened due to the absence of the NHL, but this Beijing Games went back empty-handed.
It is the first time in 16 years that Canada has failed to advance to the quarterfinals since the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.
Canada conceded the winning goal to Sweden’s Lukas Walmark at 10:15 of the third period when the 0-0 balance continued.
Canada launched an all-out offensive with 2 minutes and 9 seconds left before the end of the game, including the goalie, but instead, Sweden allowed an empty goal (scoring without the opponent’s goal) and lost their will to pursue.
With this, Finland-Slovakia and Russia Olympic Committee-Sweden were confirmed in the men’s ice hockey semifinals at the Beijing Olympics.
Earlier, Finland beat Switzerland 5-1 and the Russian Olympic Committee beat Denmark 3-1 to secure a ticket to the quarterfinals.
The semi-finals will be held on the 18th, the bronze medal match will be held on the 19th and the final will be held on the 20th.
Canada vs Sweden men’s ice hockey quarterfinals▶ Click here for a larger view
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