2-0 Russians after 2 periods...looks like a Russia/Finalnd game's all but assured, it'd be a shocker of Norway's anemic offense could score 1 goal now, let alone 2 to tie.

So the empty-netter will seal it, 3-0 Russia, they'll face Finland in the Quarterfinals.

A good defensive game for Norway and a good game in goal, they just didn't have the offensive onus they needed.

OK, and now it's 4-0, lol, the Russians add another at the end.

The "Czech" part of the old Czechoslovakia is leading 3-0 over its former bunk buddy Slovakia...

So it looks like it'll be gut-Czech time for Team USA in their Quarterfinals match-up. :p

Oh, don't worry, obi. The Czechs are good and scared..."I don't get old, man. I am alive. God help me. We always feel good. We are from the Czech Republic. We are always loose, man. We've got always fun. No pressure. We have to probably win at least four games. No big deal."

This is going to be fun.....

Guess who I'm quoting.....

3 goals in 22 shots, that's some fantastic tending by Hiller, Putin33.

Hiller wasn't good. Congrats to the Latvians! I hope they destroy Canada.

So are you still calling him the greatest goalie in the olympics?

Oh come on. One lousy guess.....

No, probably Bobrovsky now. Although 3 goals in 3 games is not a bad olympics.

Your insane if you think Bob is better then Rask, Quick, Hiller or Price.

Bob won the Vezina last year and is playing great right now. Rask let up 4 to a not very offensively talented Austrian team. Hiller let up 3 to the Latvians. Quick hasn't had to make many saves, and isn't even the best goalie USA has.

Also didn't you say Slovakia would beat the USA? Sorry your hockey knowledge is not impressing me at the moment.

I'm happy with Price. Out of Price, Quick, Bobrovsky, and Pavelec, I'd take Quick.However, I'd take any one of them AND Doughty.

Quick and Hiller all day long--

Not Hiller's fault he had no offense to work with...the other two wins were 1-0 shutouts.

So they were basically counting on him to put up a zero each time...unrealistic and a recipe for losing.

Sweden leads Slovenia (!) 1-0 in the second period...Slovenia on the power play.

Still 1-0 after 2 periods of play...

Give Slovenia credit for keeping it close and hanging with the Swedes.

3-0 now with 11 minutes left...Slovenia's done...

Oh well, they had a good run, better than anyone could have imagined. :)

I'm glad we got the US. Bottom 4 team from those in QF, like us. Too bad Pavelec will start again. Might be a close game even with him in the goal if we're lucky.

5-0 the Swedes beat the Slovenes...

Good run by Slovenia...hopefully they can build off this experience and make it back sometime.

And now, arguably the best matchup of the day--

Russia vs. Finland.

@ulytau:

I was hoping we'd get Slovakia...after that 7-1 thrashing Team USA gave them...

The Czechs are a good game with some good physical play and firepower...I still hope we win, I think we can...

Which would (assuming Canada doesn't fall prey to what would be the biggest upset of the Games and lose to Latvia) set up a USA/Canada clash in the Semifinals Friday.

I hope Russians will handle the home ice pressure so we can see the best hockey from both sides.

I hope 1. Finland wins and 2. Selanne doesn't get hurt...!

TEEMUE SELANNE SCOOOOOOOOOORES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE FINNISH FLASH SCORES TO MAKE IT 2-1 FINLAND OVER RUSSIA EARLY ON!!!

My favorite player forever, my all-time hockey hero...atta boy, Teemu (and for some reason I say "atta boy" despite the fact you're a good 15-20 years older than me...but still!) :D

3-1 now, another goal for Finland, Selanne on the assist...

Russia better turn on the gas soon, or Big Bad Vlad Putin might have some things to say if they not only miss out on a medal chance AGAIN, but lose to the Americans AND get KO'd in the Quarterfinals on home ice! >:)

And now they've pulled their starting goalie for Bobrovski...

In a rare stroke, I agree with the NBC announcer here--

The Russians are (and have been) passing just a bit too much...they're trying to be a bit too cute with all those passes.

You have to strike a balance between timely passing and sometimes just blasting at the net and looking for a rebound, and the Russians are seeing chances squandered as they pass three, four, five times to try and set something elaborate up and see it all go for naught with one errant pass.

I've just turned the game on; lots of time left but Finland plays a pretty mean game. Sunday's game against Canada was really slowed down and tight. Plus Rask!

And the Russians bite the dust!!!

3-1, Teemu Selanne and the Fins finish off the Russians...

RIGHT IN FRONT OF PUTIN!!! Well, Big bad Vlad Putin, not our Putin...

3-1 Team USA in control vs. the Czechs...nope, 4-1 on Parise's powerplay goal!

And we KO Pavelec, Salak's in goal now for the Czech Republic.