Russia’s men’s hockey team defeated Norway 4-0 on Tuesday in the qualification round.
Goals were hard to get in the game, as the first period of the game went scoreless. It was the fourth period in a row that the Russians were unable to score, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Alexander Radulov broke the scoreless tie by racing behind Norway’s net and putting a backhander into the net early in the second period. Later in the second, Ilya Kovalchuk scored giving Russia a 2-0 lead. The score remained 2-0 until the final minute of the game. Radulov scored his second goal of the game, and Alexei Tereshenko also scored for Russia in the final minute of the game to give Russia the win. Sergei Bobrovsky had 22 saves for Russia. After three games Russia is 2-1 , losing to the U.S. in a shootout and then winning against Slovakia in another shootout.
''It is do-or-die games right now,'' Russia’s Alex Ovechkin said. . ''We don't have much time to prepare ... but I'm pretty sure everybody on Finland is going to be ready, and we're going to be ready as well.''
Norway hasn’t had much luck in hockey in the Olympics. They haven’t won an Olympic hockey game since the Lillehammer games in 1994, according to the Associated Press. Norway finished last in group play by having three losses. Russia is looking for its first gold medal in hockey in 22 years.
Russia will face Finland in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. The winner on Wednesday will earn a spot in the semifinals. Finland and Russia are Olympic foes. They have met six times at the Winter Games, with Finland winning four of those six times. Russia will try to cut Finland’s lead over them to one on Wednesday.