For those following Olympic Hockey the U.S. Team won game #3 against Slovenia today 5-1 with Kessel scoring  a Hat Trick, and Ryan Miller in as goalie.   This gives Team USA their bracket “A” win with a record of 3 wins – 0 losses, and also two days off before their next game Wednesday as they advance to the quarter finals.

Good news and bad news for the Russian Team (also in bracket “A”).   The good news is they did win their game today against Slovakia;  The bad news is it took another shootout to do it.

Slovakia played a great game (as noted in this extraordinary defense effort above) and their goalie was phenomenal through regulation and overtime.   Their effort, even in defeat, means Russia will most likely miss the 4th seed, and accompanying bye, and Russia will have to fight their way into the quarterfinal round with an elimination game on Tuesday.

Another Great game on schedule today is Canada and Finland.   They begin their game in a few minutes (noon – broadcast USA Network) to determine who will win their bracket.  If the game ends in regulation or overtime, barring a blowout, even the loser will advance to the quarterfinals as the 4th seed – due to goal differential advantage over the Ruskies.

*NOTE*  For those of you who missed the epic USA vs Russia Hockey game yesterday it will be rebroadcast in it’s entirety (regulation, overtime and shootout) on NBC Sports at around 4:00pm today.