Both the US and Canada fell in Olympic preliminary round action, with the Czech Republic narrowly topping Canada 3-2 and the Olympic Athletes from Russia beating the US, 4-0. Elsewhere, Switzerland topped Korea decisively 8-0, while Slovenia edged Slovakia 3-2.
Czech Republic 3, Canada 2
It took a shootout, but the Czech Republic finally beat Canada 3-2.
Mason Raymond put Canada up 1-0 just 1:13 into the game after the Czechs took a slashing penalty. Dominik Kubalik, who was in the box when Canada scored, made up for it when he put his team on the board and tied the game.
Midway through the first, Canada took a 2-1 lead, once again on the power play, with a goal by Rene Bourque.
Just 25 seconds into the second period, Michal Jordan (no joke) tied the game for the Czech Republic.
The stalemate lasted through the third period, despite both teams having several power play opportunities. Overtime proved fruitless, so it was on to game-winning shots.
Jan Kovar had the winning goal on his second shot of the extra time.
Switzerland 8, Korea 0
A five-goal third period helped the Swiss top Korea.
Denis Hollenstein opened the scoring in the first period, before Felicien du Bois and Pius Suter struck in the second. Super would score twice more for the hat trick in the final period.
Thomas Rufenacht, Reto Schlepp and Enzo Corvi also scored in the third period.
Jonas Hiller had 25 saves in the win.
Olympic Athletes from Russia 4, United States 0
The US put up 29 shots on goal, but Vasili Koschechkin was perfect in net for the OAR.
Nikolai Prokhorkin struck first 7:21 into the game, then again 2:14 into the second period to make it 2-0.
Both teams had a slew of penalties in the middle frame, but neither was able to take advantage of the power play. With one second remaining in the period, Ilya Kovalchuk scored his first of the game to make it a three-goal game.
He added another goal just 28 seconds into the third, sealing the 4-0 win.
Former Buffalo Sabres forward Mikhail Grigorenko was held scoreless – and shotless – in 14:07.
Brian Gionta had four shots and was a minus-2 in 13:03. Sabres prospect Will Borgen is still looking for his first action, as is former Rochester Americans netminder David Leggio.
Slovenia 3, Slovakia 2
Slovenia outshot their opponent 30-25 and scored twice on the man advantage en route to a 3-2 win over Slovakia in game-winning shots
After a scoreless first period, Blaz Gregorc put Slovenia on the board exactly one minute into the second. Anne Kuralt made it 2-0 just 3:16 later.
Before the end of the second, Milos Bubela struck on the power play for Slovakia. Marcel Hascak tied the game in the third.
After overtime, it took five rounds of game-winning shots before Slovenia came out on top. Ziga Jeglic had the game-winning goal.
Next Action (day & time EST)
Germany vs. Norway (Saturday, 10:10 pm, NBCSN)
Czech Republic vs. Switzerland (Sunday, 2:40 am, NBCSN)
Canada vs. Korea (Sunday, 7:10 am, USA Network)
Sweden vs. Finland (Sunday, 7:10 am, NBCSN)