Oshie, United States Defeat Russia In Shootout, 3-2

Oshie, USA Push Past Russia Via Shootout

Wow, what a game. The United States came away victorious as T.J. Oshie converted four of his six shootout attempts to push the United States past Russia by the final of 3-2. After a pretty much even first period, the scoring pitched up in the second period as Pavel Datsyuk of Team Russia shot on past Jonathan Quick for the early 1-0 lead. Andrei Markov and Alexander Radulov picked up the helpers on Datysuk’s goal.

Late in the second period, USA’s defenseman Cam Fowler converted on a power-play to even the game up at one apiece. James van Riemsdyk and Phil Kessel would pick up the points as the United States had some momentum moving forward. The United States would be going on the power-play yet again during the middle of the third period and they would convert once more. Joe Pavelski would bring the USA fans to their feet as he shot one right by Russian goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky for the 2-1 lead with less than 11 minutes remaining in regulation.

Pavel Datsyuk would quickly end the party as he accumulated goal number two of the game on the power-play to even it all up at two. Neither team would score for the remainder of the period so we would head to overtime. Neither team would strike as we were destined for a great shootout finish between the United States and Russia.

Here is more on the international rules via ESPN regarding the shootout.

"International rules allow the same player to take multiple shots after the first three rounds of a shootout, and U.S. coach Dan Bylsma leaned on Oshie, one of the NHL’s shootout specialists."

T.J. Oshie did not disappoint as his first shot went right past Russian’s goaltender for the quick advantage for Team USA. Here is the shootout finish below.

T.J. Oshie (USA) – Goal 1-0 USA
Evgeni Malkin (RUS) – Missed
James van Riemsdyk (USA) – Saved
Pavel Datsyuk (RUS) – Saved
Joe Pavelski (USA) – Saved
Ilya Kovalchuk (RUS) – Goal 1-1
T.J. Oshie (USA) – Missed
Pavel Datsyuk (RUS) – Goal 2-1 RUS
T.J. Oshie (USA) – Goal 2-2
Ilya Kovalchuk (RUS) – Goal 3-2 RUS
T.J. Oshie (USA) – Goal 3-3
Pavel Datsyuk (RUS) – Saved
T.J. Oshie (USA) – Missed
Ilya Kovalchuk (RUS) – Missed
T.J. Oshie (USA) Goal, USA Wins 3-2 via shootout.

The United States advantage to (2-0) in Group A Tournament Play, as they will take on Team Slovenia Monday morning around 7:30 PM ET, 5:30 PM MT.