What’s in a name as OAR ends drought
RUSSIA dramatically ended a 26-year men’s ice hockey title drought yesterday, defeating Germany 4-3 in overtime in a championship-game thriller for the only gold medal by Russian men at the PyeongChang Games.
Kirill Kaprizov scored the powerplay goal that will be forever remembered in Russian hockey history 9:40 into the extra period to set off a joyous celebration as the Russian squad raced on to the ice and flag-waving supporters roared with delight.
Russia, competing in South Korea under a neutral flag as “Olympic Athletes from Russia”, had not won hockey gold since the 1992 Albertville crown.
As the Unified Team, only a few weeks after the breakup of the Soviet Union, whose hockey dynasty captured eight Olympic golds.
This year’s Russians were unable to see their flag raised or hear their anthem played as part of the punishment for the systemic doping scandal at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, competing under the Olympic flag and anthem.
Denied even their usual uniforms, the Russians opted for one resembling the NHL Detroit Red Wings, who boasted championship teams known for Russian stars.
The Germans were seconds from pulling off a Wunder auf Eis (Miracle on Ice) after winning three one-goal shockers to reach the final.
Yesterday, in the extra 20minute sudden-death period, aus den Birken stopped an Ilya Kovalchuk breakaway with a sensational left leg save as the tension mounted.
Germany’s Patrick Reimer was sent into the penalty box for a high stick on Russian captain Pavel Datsyuk, setting the stage for Kaprizov.
Vyacheslav Voinov scored with a half-second remaining in the first period for a 1-0 Russian lead.
Felix Schutz equalised for Germany 9:32 into the second period, flicking the puck off the right leg of Koshechkin, who then knocked the puck into the goal. MEDAL TALLY
9. France
10. Austria
11. Japan
12. Italy Others
23. Australia