Olympic Ice Hockey

The U.S. Center for SafeSport is investigating USA Hockey president Jim Smith for his handling of allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct against an Illinois youth coach, according to Katie Strang of The Athletic.

Several junior hockey players in the Chicago area said Tom "Chico" Adrahtas sexually abused them after he was removed from his assistant coaching job at the University of Minnesota amid abuse allegations, per Strang. 

After an investigation, he is now "ineligible for membership or participation in any USA Hockey program."

Smith was president of the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois from 1985-88, overlapping with Adrahtas' time as a coach in the local organization.

"The U.S. Center for SafeSport has advised us they have taken jurisdiction and are investigating allegations that people within AHAI, including Jim Smith, were aware of sexual misconduct by Thomas Adrahtas and did not take action," USA Hockey executive director Pat Kelleher said.

A player reportedly sent a letter to AHAI in 2010 detailing how Adrahtas sexually abused him in 1984.

Smith has denied any knowledge of these actions.

"In my time as president of AHAI, there were no reports alleging misconduct by Tom Adrahtas," he said earlier this month, per Strang.

USA Hockey has hired an independent investigator to look into Smith's role during this time.

The U.S. Center for SafeSport was created in 2017 to help prevent abuse of athletes.

NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said Monday the league isn't close to an agreement to make its players available for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Daly shot down recent speculation about the NHL's potential participation in the Games in an email to John Wawrow of the Associated Press.

"We aren't there yet. In fact, we aren't even close to being there," Daly wrote. "At this point in time, we continue to believe that the negatives outweigh the positives."

National Hockey League Players' Association executive director Don Fehr and Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf both expressed concern the league was using the Olympics as a bargaining chip with collective bargaining agreement talks scheduled for this week in Toronto.

"I can't figure out why anybody would not want to go and take advantage of this opportunity because it doesn't come around every day," Fehr told Wawrow. "We think and have always thought that a matter like this should be addressed on its own merits, and it seems to us that the merits on this one are crystal-clear, pellucidly clear."

Getzlaf added: "Why do you think that is? They're a business. If they put that into negotiations, that means it's a leverage chip for them that they're going to try to use against us."

The NHL pulled its participation from the Olympics, which take place during the middle of the regular season, ahead of the 2018 Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin was adamant he was going to represent Russia despite the league's decision, but he ultimately released a statement confirming he couldn't take part.

"I said every time I was asked since last Olympics that nobody is going to tell me I can't play because my country was going to be allowed to ask me," Ovechkin said in 2017. "Now the IIHF and NHL say my country is not allowed to ask anybody in the NHL to play, and there is nothing to talk about anymore."

Led by former NHL stars Pavel Datsyuk and Ilya Kovalchuk, who has since returned to the league, the Olympic Athletes from Russia—the designation given to Russian athletes cleared to compete despite the country's ban for state-sponsored doping—captured the gold medal.

Unfortunately, men's ice hockey transformed from one of the Winter Games' premier events into an afterthought since most of the world's top players weren't in attendance.

The current NHL CBA runs through September 2022, and Fehr told Wawrow he's hopeful the posturing when it comes to the Olympics "will give way to the facts and circumstances."

"We participated in five consecutive Olympic Games," Daly said, "beginning long before Don was involved in our league. We have a pretty good sense of the positives and negatives associated with participation."

An agreement likely must get reached by next summer because the 2021-22 schedule would need to get adjusted to fit an Olympic break in February if the sides come to terms on participation.

Mark Pavelich, who starred on the 1980 Olympic gold medal-winning United States men's hockey team, has been ruled "mentally ill" and "dangerous" by a Minnesota district judge.

Per Pam Louwagie of the Star Tribune, the judge has ordered the 61-year-old to be committed to a secure treatment facility.

Louwagie explained the circumstances leading to the decision, including criminal charges against Pavelich in August.

"Pavelich faced criminal charges that he beat a friend with a metal pole in August after a day of fishing. Charging documents alleged that he had accused the friend of 'spiking his beer' and that his friend suffered cracked ribs, a bruised kidney and a fractured vertebra, as well as bruises.

"Judge Michael Cuzzo found Pavelich incompetent to stand trial, however, concluding based on an expert report that Pavelich was 'incapable of participating in the defense due to mental illness or deficiency.' The criminal case was put on hold while the state moved to civilly commit him to treatment."

Two psychologists examined Pavelich. Chris Bowerman wrote that Pavelich had delusions and paranoia, and Jacqueline Buffington said that the ex-hockey star has "mild neurocognitive disorder due to traumatic brain injury with behavioral disturbance (psychotic symptoms, aggression)."

Pavelich had one goal and six assists in seven contests for the "Miracle on Ice" gold-medal winners. He had two assists in the team's legendary 4-3 upset victory over the Soviet Union in a medal-round game.

Pavelich played in 341 regular-season NHL games over seven seasons, including five with the New York Rangers from 1981 to 1986. He posted 133 goals and 185 assists.

Per Louwagie, Pavelich's family believes that Pavelich suffers from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) because of repeated concussions during his NHL days. Court documents also reveal that the family started noticing changes a few years ago and sought to get help for Pavelich, who refused assistance.

"He's been an amazing brother. Fun. Loving," Pavelich's sister Jean Gevik said. "This has been a total change."

The Associated Press (h/t Charlotte Observer) discussed the link between CTE, concussions and the NHL in its piece covering the judge's decision to have Pavelich committed.

"CTE, which can be diagnosed only after death, has been found in several former NHL players, more than 100 former NFL players and in dozens more athletes and members of the military who have been exposed to repetitive head trauma. The disease can lead to memory loss, depression and even suicide. The NHL has long denied there is a conclusive link between repeated blows to the head and CTE. ...

"The NHL has been criticized for the way it has handled head injuries. Last year, the league settled a court case with hundreds of retired players who claimed they were harmed by head injuries. The NHL admitted no wrongdoing. Pavelich did not make a claim, Gevik has said."

Pavelich is from Lutsen, Minnesota. Per Louwagie, a hearing will occur in February to determine whether he will continue to be committed for an undetermined period of time.

Based in Mexico City,, Selección Feminil Mexicana de Hockey sobre Hielo started in 2014 by three women that came together wanting to start the first women’s national team for Mexico. They’ve defeated the Men’s National team in a huge upset, and training for the 2022 Winter Olympics hoping to be the first Latin American team to compete in ice hockey.

#TradeYourHeroForMine is a limited edition trading card series that tells the story of Mexico’s National Women’s Ice Hockey Team. Selección Femenil Mexicana de Hockey is now the highest ranked National female sports team in Mexico.

Bleacher Report is your No. 1 stop for what’s trending in sports. You can count on B/R for all the hottest stories. From wild sports to the next big thing, don’t miss out.

Download the free Bleacher Report app to catch all the moments that matter in one place. Get the app to get the game.

Film:
Director + DP: Elena Parasco
B Camera: Alonso Mejia
Production: Contenido Neto Producciones
Editor + Colorist: Carlos Flores
Original Score: Andy Huckvale
Sound Design: Bobb Barito
Title Sequence DP: Nick Wiesner
Announcer VO: Ximena Balmori

Trading Cards:
Photographer: Elena Parasco
Designer: Ana Thompson
Team: Selección Nacional Femenil de Hockey sobre Hielo
Casting: Akrav Agency (Sarah Benjamin NYC; Tania Nieblati CDMX)

Production: Alonso Mejia, Contenido Neto Producciones (CDMX)
AD: Anna Ritsch
Wardrobe Stylist: Jocelyn Carona
Hair + Make-Up: Adrian González
PA: Astrid Cortés
Translations: Edgar Duran D’Gyves
Post: Urban / CVLT Studio
BTS Photography: Anna Ritsch

The ice hockey at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, was once again a highlight of the Winter Games and produced plenty of thrills. The men's event did suffer from a lack of star quality, as the NHL refused to allow its players to compete, but made up for it with some surprise results.

As expected, the Olympic Athletes from Russia claimed gold in the men's event as they secured an overtime win over Germany. Over in the women's event, there was a gold medal for the United States, who beat arch-rivals Canada in a shootout at the Gangneung Hockey Centre.

Here's a look back at some of the most exciting matches from the 2018 Pyeongchang Games.

     

Slovakia pull off shock in opener

The Olympic Athletes from Russia went into the tournament as hot favourites to claim gold but suffered a shock in their opening game as they were beaten 3-2 by Slovakia. The Russian team started well and were 2-0 up after four minutes, thanks to goals from Vladislav Gavrikov and Kirill Kaprizov.

However, Slovakia hit back to make it 2-2 through Peter Olvecky and Martin Bakos, and after a goalless second period, Peter Ceresnak scored the winner with a slap shot in the third period. 

It was not just a surprise defeat but a sloppy showing from the Russian team who squandered a two-goal lead and lost their composure after a brilliant start.

        

United States women gain golden revenge 

The United States claimed revenge over Canada in the final of the women's competition as they secured a first gold medal since the 1998 Nagano Games. Canada had beaten the U.S team in the last two Olympic finals but had to settle for silver in South Korea.

The United States started well and took an early lead with Hilary Knight flicking home the opener. NBC Olympics showed the moment she struck:

.@TeamUSA STRIKES FIRST!

A beautiful redirect by @HilaryKnight puts the @usahockey women up 1-0 in the gold medal game! #WinterOlympics https://t.co/R7Kzi4a9HS pic.twitter.com/kxkPJdlIEL

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 22, 2018

Canada hit back through Haley Irwin before Marie-Philip Poulin put the team into a 2-1 lead with a long-range strike. Monique Lamoureux-Morando levelled it up with just six minutes of the third period remaining, to send the final into overtime.

Neither team could manage a goal in the extra 20 minutes, which ensured the gold medal would be decided by a nerve-wracking shootout for the first time in women's Olympic history.

Net-minders Maddie Rooney of the U.S team and Canada's Shannon Szabados both made two saves before Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson struck to put the Americans 3-2 up. 

Rooney then saved from Meghan Agosta to hand the United States gold. The team's Twitter account paid tribute to the youngster:

Twenty. TWENTY!@maddie_rooney35, #TeamUSA's goalie, is just 20 years old! She stopped a FOUR TIME OLYMPIAN in her tracks & held her own in the shootout to help secure #GOLD for @USAHockey! UNREAL. pic.twitter.com/foHqOGP4Xh

— Team USA (@TeamUSA) February 22, 2018

It was an incredible moment from Rooney who coped with the pressure as the United States turned the tables on Canada.

         

Germany stun Canada to reach final

The German men's team pulled off a number of brilliant results on their way to the final, and the 4-3 win over Canada was arguably the pick of the bunch. The defending Olympic champions were hot favourites to progress but ended up going home with bronze.

Germany, who were fresh from a shock win over Sweden in the quarter-finals, went 3-0 and then 4-1 up in the game, as Canada looked unusually undisciplined. Willie Desjardins' team came on strong at the end, scoring twice and going all out, but Germany held on to reach their first final.

The German Foreign Office offered advice after the win:

Travel advisory: Germans in Canada should exercise a high degree of empathy. Be nice, don’t gloat, give hugs, buy rounds of hot chocolate.

Just imagine how you would feel if Canada beat us in soccer 😱

🇩🇪 ❤️ 🇨🇦#CANGER @TeamD @CanadaFP @GermanyInCanada @KanadaBotschaft pic.twitter.com/0HlHoxMA7E

— GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) February 23, 2018

It was a huge upset by the Germans who took advantage of Canadian penalties and sloppy play as well as taking their own chances when they came.

        

Norway secure quarter-final spot

Norway made it all the way to the quarter-finals for the first time after beating Slovenia 2-1, with Alexander Bonsaksen securing an overtime win.

Jan Urbas opened the scoring in a first-period powerplay, but Norway hit back in the third period as Tommy Kristiansen tapped home Martin Roymark's pass to force sudden-death.

The overtime period was fairly chaotic with net-minder Gasper Kroselj saving a shot from point-blank range, allowed a number of players to fight for the puck. The puck then fell to Bonsaksen to drill home, and he secured a memorable win for the Norwegians.

        

Russia beat Germany to gold in thrilling final

In the men's event, the Russian team secured a 4-2 overtime win over Germany in a classic. A dramatic climax saw Russian athlete Ilya Kovalchuk describe the match as "the craziest game ever," per the Guardian's Bryan Armen Graham.

The game was finely balanced at 1-1 with a little over six minutes remaining in the third period when Nikita Gusev fired home what looked like it might be the winner. However, Germany hit back straight away through Dominik Kahun and Jonas Muller to put Germany ahead. Russia Hockey showed how little time the team had left to respond:

03:16 on the clock and Jonas Muller beats Vasily Koshechkin....oh dear, it's 2:3. The puck went through our goalkeeper five hole. We have three minutes to respond!

— Russia Hockey (@russiahockey_en) February 25, 2018

The Russian team refused to be denied, and Kalinin Gusev struck his second to level it up and send the game into sudden-death overtime. James Ellingworth at the Associated Press showed just how close Germany had been to gold:

https://twitter.com/jellingworth/status/967646307232890881

Kirill Kaprizov was then the hero for the Russia team as he fired in a superb golden goal to ensure glory for his team. The KHL showed how he celebrated the winner:

Hockey 101 by Kirill Kaprizov: how to celebrate the OT-winner in Olympics gold medal game.#PyeongChang2018 pic.twitter.com/2vMAT1MYy5

— KHL (@khl_eng) February 25, 2018

It was a dramatic win for the Olympic Athletes from Russia team, but Germany must also take huge credit for the part they played in a nail-biting final.

The Olympic Athletes from Russia ice hockey team secured a thrilling 4-3 overtime win against Germany on Sunday in the gold-medal clash at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. 

The Russian team's chances of taking the top spot on the podium appeared faint when Germany took a 3-2 lead with 3 minutes, 16 seconds left on the clock in the third period. But a last-gasp conversion courtesy of Nikita Gusev with 55 seconds remaining forced overtime, as NBC Olympics documented on Twitter: 

OAR TIES IT UP WITH LESS THAN A MINUTE TO GO IN THE #GOLD MEDAL GAME! #OARvsGER pic.twitter.com/fdrMAuycNg

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 25, 2018

With new life, the Russian team seized a golden opportunity. 

Germany committed a high-sticking penalty just over nine minutes into the extra session, and OAR pounced on a power-play chance when Gusev fired across the ice and found Kirill Kaprizov for a one-time winner: 

The Olympic Athletes from Russia struck #gold with this gorgeous one-timer! #OARvsGER https://t.co/snOfK8WaVF pic.twitter.com/isfp9SlsnR

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 25, 2018

"It means a lot. We didn't win Olympics since '92," OAR winger Ilya Kovalchuk said, per Reuters' Dan Burns and Steve Keating. "It was a while ago. That was our dream. That was my dream for when I was five years old, when I started playing. It's great, and it feels good."

The day wasn't quite as bright for the Germans, who were in search of their first gold medal in the men's hockey tournament. 

However, the silver did represent a new high for Germany, considering its previous best finishes were bronze in 1932 and bronze again in 1976 as West Germany. 

"Once we get home and get off that plane and get the stories from friends and family, we will realize what happened, and I think we can be proud," captain Marcel Goc said, according to the Associated Press' Teresa M. Walker. "I don't think we have to go out of this game and say we lost. We won the silver medal here and can be proud of it."

Germany head coach Marco Sturm also took an optimistic approach and pointed to the fact that his team was initially on the outside of the medal picture after failing to qualify for the 2014 spectacle in Sochi, Russia. 

"We all thought we would be sitting at home watching that final on the couch at home, but here we are," he said, per Walker. "The boys are going to bring silver home, and they should be very proud." 

So while the Germans' quest for gold was ultimately derailed, their performance in Pyeongchang should inspire plenty of confidence they can make another deep run when the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China, roll around. 

The United States ended its 20-year gold-medal drought in women's hockey at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

The Americans won a shootout in the gold-medal game to defeat rival Canada in one of the best games at the Olympics.

Over in the men's tournament, the Olympic Athletes from Russia started slow, but once they locked into a rhythm, they were hard to stop.

The Russians won the gold-medal game over Germany, who stunned us all with three remarkable wins in the knockout phase over Switzerland, Sweden and Canada.

With NHL players not participating in the competition, there were some unexpected results throughout pool play, and in the knockout phase, with Germany providing most of them.

While some of the traditional powers eventually rose to the top, the 2018 Olympic hockey tournaments will go down as one for the underdogs that hopefully grows the sport in nations like Germany, Slovakia, Slovenia and the host nation South Korea.

      

Medal Winners

Men's Hockey

Gold: Olympic Athletes from Russia

Silver: Germany

Bronze: Canada

      

Women's Hockey

Gold: United States

Silver: Canada

Bronze: Finland

        

Results

Men's Hockey

Group A

Czech Republic 2, South Korea 1

Canada 5, Switzerland 1

Czech Republic 3, Canada 2 (Czech Republic won in shootout)

Switzerland 8, South Korea 0

Czech Republic 4, Switzerland 1

Canada 4, South Korea 0

      

Group B

Slovakia 3, Olympic Athletes from Russia 2

Slovenia 3, United States 2 (OT)

United States 2, Slovakia 1

Olympic Athletes from Russia 8, Slovenia 2

Olympic Athletes from Russia 4, United States 0

Slovenia 3, Slovakia 2 (Slovenia won in shootout)

      

Group C

Finland 5, Germany 2

Sweden 4, Norway 0

Finland 5, Norway 1

Sweden 1, Germany 0

Germany 2, Norway 1 (Germany won in shootout)

Sweden 3, Finland 1

     

Playoff Round

United States 5, Slovakia 1

Norway 2, Slovenia 1 (OT)

Finland 5, South Korea 2

Germany 2, Switzerland 1 (OT)

     

Quarterfinals

Germany 4, Sweden 3 (OT)

Canada 1, Finland 0

Czech Republic 3, United States 2 (Czech Republic won in shootout)

Olympic Athletes from Russia 6, Norway 1

      

Semifinals

Germany 4, Canada 3

Olympic Athletes from Russia 3, Czech Republic 0

      

Bronze-Medal Game

Canada 6, Czech Republic 4

      

Gold-Medal Game

Olympic Athletes from Russia 4, Germany 3 (OT)

     

Women's Hockey

Group A

United States 3, Finland 1

Canada 5, Olympic Athletes from Russia 0

Canada 4, Finland 1

United States 5, Olympic Athletes from Russia 0

Canada 2, United States 1

Finland 5, Olympic Athletes from Russia 1

     

Group B

Sweden 2, Japan 1

Switzerland 8, Korea 0

Switzerland 3, Japan 1

Sweden 8, Korea 0

Switzerland 2, Sweden 1

Japan 4, Korea 1

     

Quarterfinals

Olympic Athletes from Russia 6, Switzerland 2

Finland 7, Sweden 2

      

Semifinals

Canada 5, Olympic Athletes from Russia 0

United States 5, Finland 0 

      

Medal Classification Games

Switzerland 2, Korea 0

Japan 2, Sweden 1 (OT)

       

Seventh-Place Game

Sweden 6, Korea 1

      

Fifth-Place Game

Switzerland 1, Japan 0

      

Bronze-Medal Game 

Finland 3, Olympic Athletes from Russia 2

      

Gold-Medal Game

United States 3, Canada 2 (United States won in shootout)

       

American Women Win 1st Gold in 20 Years

After suffering heartbreak at the hands of the Canadians in the last two gold-medal games, the United States won its first Olympic women's hockey title in 20 years in the most dramatic way.

Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson eluded Canadian goalie Shannon Szabados in the sixth round of the shootout to score the game-winning goal that will go down as one of the top medal-clinching moments in American Olympic history.

NBC Olympics gave us a look at the incredible goal:

Her sister Monique Lamoureux-Morando, who scored the game-tying goal in the third period, had an idea of what was coming in the shootout, per Scott Charles of NBCOlympics.com.

"I knew she was going to pull something out of her hat," Lamoureux-Morando said. "I've seen her do it plenty of times to our goalies and other goalies. We've screwed it up plenty of times, but she pulled the perfect time to pull it off."

The victory concluded a terrific stretch for the Americans in the international game, as they defeated Canada in each of the last three IIHF Women's World Hockey Championship gold-medal games.

      

Russians Accomplish Olympic Dream

With a roster loaded with NHL experience and KHL stars, the Russians came into the Olympics as the favorites to win the men's tournament.

Although Germany provided them with their toughest test of the knockout phase in the gold-medal game, the Russians persevered and left South Korea with gold.

For the athletes on the Russian roster, winning the Olympic gold was a dream come true, especially for 39-year-old Pavel Datsyuk, per Kevin Allen of USA Today.

"It feels good to have accomplished my dream," Datsyuk said. "Now I have no dream."

By winning the Olympic gold, Datsyuk became a member of the exclusive Triple Gold Club in hockey as an Olympic winner, world champion and Stanley Cup champion, per ESPN's Chris Peters:

If you needed a better look at how DIRTY Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson's game winning goal was 😱 https://t.co/wkOWa0qwZl pic.twitter.com/7GRRCOkoNk

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 22, 2018

The younger members of the squad, including Kirill Kaprizov, who scored the game-winning goal in the gold-medal game, might be on NHL rosters at some point in the future. Kaprizov's rights belong to the Minnesota Wild, while a few other players have been selected by NHL teams in recent years in hopes of bringing them over to North America.

      

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.

Statistics obtained from Olympic.org.

The Olympic Athletes from Russia defeated a resilient underdog in Germany 4-3 in overtime Sunday to win the men's hockey gold medal at the 2018 Olympic Games. 

The back-and-forth match was worthy of an Olympic final. Germany held a 3-2 lead deep into the third period, but a blistering equalizer from Nikita Gusev with just 55 seconds left in the game forced extra time. Kirill Kaprizov slashed home the game-winner just under 10 minutes into overtime to deliver the Russian Athletes the victory. 

Here's the winning goal, per NBC Olympics: 

The Olympic Athletes from Russia struck #gold with this gorgeous one-timer! #OARvsGER https://t.co/snOfK8WaVF pic.twitter.com/isfp9SlsnR

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 25, 2018

Though they let the game slip away at the end, a silver medal is still a remarkable, historic result for the Germans. They stunned heavy favorites in Canada 4-3 in the semifinal to book a spot in the gold-medal game. Germany did not qualify for the 2014 Winter Games, and the country had never finished higher than a bronze medal, which they won at both the 1928 and 1976 Olympics.

The victory brought plenty of joy to the Russian athletes despite the lack of NHL players participating in this tournament and their inability to officially compete for their home country due to sanctions following a major doping scandal. 

"When you play for your country and I win this medal, this special time it's more important," said 39-year-old captain Pavel Datsyuk, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com). "I have accomplished my dream. Now I have no dream."

So happy were the Russians that they and their fans at the Gangneung Hockey Centre belted out their banned national anthem at the medal ceremony, per Reuters' Dan Burns and Steve Keating. According to Ilya Kovalchuk, they had planned in advance to sing the anthem, a violation of International Olympic Committee rules. 

The game was certainly the kind the players will relish winning due to its pressure-packed, high-intensity nature. The contest was tied 1-1 entering the third period thanks to goals from Slava Voynov—who scored with under a second remaining in the first period—and Germany's Felix Schutz.

Russia retook the lead with a little more than six minutes left in the game thanks to Gusev, who banged in a shot off the mask of goaltender Danny aus den Birken. The 2-1 lead was incredibly short-lived, as Germany answered back just seconds later thanks to a blistering slapshot from Dominik Kahun.

Three minutes later, Germany looked like it might have a miracle on its hands. A brilliant hesitation move by 21-year-old Jonas Muller sent Datsyuk and Russian goaltender Vasili Koshechkin sprawling to the ice, and Muller cooly slotted the puck home to make the score 3-2. Former NHL player Bruno Gervais was impressed by Muller:

WOWOWOWOW!!!! The young gun of the @Eisbaeren_B , Jonas Muller with ice in his veins! What a move! hang on Deutschland!

— Bruno Gervais (@bruno_gervais27) February 25, 2018

Germany wasn't able to hang on for victory, however. Russia ended up short-handed with about two minutes to go, but they pulled Koshechkin to get back to 5-on-5 out on the ice. Gusev then made what will become a very famous goal in Russia, going top shelf to beat Aus den Birken from a close shot on the left side, nearly the exact same spot from which he had scored his earlier goal.

NBC Olympics caught the celebration just after the tying goal:

OAR TIES IT UP WITH LESS THAN A MINUTE TO GO IN THE #GOLD MEDAL GAME! #OARvsGER pic.twitter.com/fdrMAuycNg

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 25, 2018

Germany couldn't capitalize at the end of the game, which set up overtime and Kaprizov's power-play winner, which delivered Russia (though unofficially) their first gold medal in men's hockey since 1992. 

The win for the Russian Athletes will likely serve as a balm for what has been a rocky Olympics, with dozens of athletes appealing to get into the Winter Games just days before they started, and athletes from the country turning up with new doping violations during the Games themselves.

It wasn't quite the happy ending that Germany was likely hoping for after their momentous upset of Canada, but a silver medal is a fine result for a country that doesn't have a proud tradition of winning hockey. 

The Olympic men's ice hockey version of David versus Goliath takes center stage Saturday night, when the Olympic Athletes from Russia square off against Germany in the gold-medal game.

The Russians came into Pyeongchang, South Korea, as the gold-medal favorite. And after an opening loss to Slovakia, they have looked the part.

Germany shocked us all with its victory over Sweden in the quarterfinals, but that was just the start of its impressive results. The Germans one-upped that win by knocking off Canada in the semifinals.

Although Germany carries a ton of momentum and confidence into Saturday's final, the Russians are the overwhelming favorite to capture gold.

                         

Date: Saturday, February 24 (Event takes place on Sunday in Pyeongchang, South Korea)

Time: 11:10 p.m. ET

TV: NBCSN

Live Stream: NBCOlympics.com

                           

Kovalchuk Should Be Star of Gold-Medal Game

The best player on either roster is Ilya Kovalchuk.

The former NHL star has featured in a key role for the Russians throughout the tournament, and he should move into the spotlight early in the gold-medal game.

Kovalchuk has found the back of the net on five occasions in five games, and he's expected to have the same impact as he tries to take advantage of the German defense.

Expect the Russians to be on the offensive from the start, much like they have been for most of the tournament since the loss to Slovakia.

The Olympic Athletes from Russia left no doubt against Slovenia and the United States to conclude group play, and they cruised to knockout-phase wins over Norway and the Czech Republic.

While Kovalchuk should be the focal point of the attack, he isn't the only threat who will wreak havoc in front of the German net.

Pavel Datsyuk, Nikita Gusev and Kirill Kaprizov bring extra dimensions to the Russian offense, and if Kovalchuk is shut down, one of those three players should be able to step up and take advantage of the gaps in the German defense.

Although Germany pushed through all sorts of obstacles to reach the gold-medal showdown, it has conceded seven goals in its three knockout-phase games, including three apiece to Sweden and Canada.

If that trend continues, the Russians should cruise to the gold since their defense has been phenomenal, with goaltender Vasili Koshechkin giving up just three goals in the past four games.

                  

Continued Team Effort Needed from Germany

Regardless of what occurs Saturday, Germany has earned the respect of the international hockey community for its miraculous run to the gold-medal game.

Head coach Marco Sturm, who most notably played for the San Jose Sharks, found a way to get his players to believe in each other enough to take down two giants of the sport in Sweden and Canada.

Reaching the final becomes a more incredible achievement when you realize the Germans didn't even qualify for the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Beating the Russians will be their toughest task yet, and there's no guarantee the game will be close given the gap in talent.

If the Germans look to shut down Kovalchuk, it would open the door for a few other talented Russian attackers to score. And if they try to push the pace early, it may leave them exposed on breakaways.

No matter which way you break it down, the Germans are at a disadvantage, but they do have one important thing going for them.

The team spirit in the German squad is off the charts, and if Sturm rallies the players one more time, we could see a highly motivated team give it all on the ice and stay in the game heading into the third period.

Look for the 35-year-old Christian Ehrhoff to be front and center Saturday, with the other players on the roster benefiting from his wealth of NHL experience.

We are not saying it's impossible for Germany to win—that would be silly after what the team has done in the competition. But beating the Russians will require each German player to have the best game of his career.

                    

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.