Jan Laco did everything he could. Ryne Sandberg Jersey . The unheralded Slovakian goaltender turned aside everything he saw. A Kontintenal Hockey League backup, he looked fearless in the face of the Russians high-powered offence. But his teammates couldnt solve Russian counterpart Semyon Varlamov. Alexander Radulov and Ilya Kovalchuk scored the only shootout goals after a scoreless deadlock, Varlamov provided 27 saves and Team Russia edged Slovakia 1-0 in Group A action on Sunday in the 2014 Sochi Olympics at Bolshoy Ice Dome. "Thats every game here. Its very intense," Kovalchuk said. "Even if you play against Slovenia or the USA, or today against Slovakia, it doesnt matter. We couldnt find a way how to score, but we found a way to win." With one win, one overtime win and one overtime loss in the preliminary round, Russia will have to play a qualifying elimination game against Norway to reach the quarter-finals. Slovakia (0-3) finished last in its group with one point. Laco, getting the call in place of star St. Louis Blues goalie Jaroslav Halak, was brilliant in stopping 36 Russian shots – the only blemishes being in the shootout. Alex Ovechkin thought he had an open net to end the game in overtime, but the Capitals forward was blocked on a spectacular sprawling stop by Slovakian defender Andrej Meszaros, who came to the aid of the 32-year-old Slovakian goalie. "It mattered to us," Meszaros said. "We wanted to prove to ourselves we could play better hockey than we showed in the first two games. I think we showed everybody that we can play with anybody." The home side re-established its momentum in the third period by outshooting the Slovaks 15-2 and drawing four straight penalties, failing to convert on any of them. The Russians, fresh off a thrilling 3-2 shootout loss to the Americans, appeared to have finally solved Laco in the third on a power play, off a deflected point shot by Yevgeni Medvedev. The puck beat the Slovakian netminder, but caromed off the crossbar and post to stay out of the net. The early half of the second period featured a defensive battle, with both sides smothering one another and not allowing many chances. Russia couldnt convert on either of its power-play opportunities of the frame, but the pace picked up significantly in the latter half of the period. Laco looked calm as can be in fending off the Russian attack. His glove side was seemingly unbeatable at times and he was able to spot the puck through traffic to make some difficult stops. One of his best came early in the second period on Pittsburgh Penguins sniper Evgeni Malkin, who had a great chance taken away by Lacos acrobatics. Not many goalies can say this, but Laco seemed to have Malkins number in this tilt. Known for having one of the quickest snap shots in the NHL, Malkin recovered a loose puck late in the period, turned and fired. Laco was quicker. He calmly turned aside the chance to keep things scoreless. But Varlamov was not to be outdone. He was lightning fast and sharp in denying chance after chance by the Slovaks. The Russians had a scare involving one of their top snipers Ilya Kovalchuk. At 9:17 of the second period, the former New Jersey Devil got tangled up with Richard Panik, went down awkwardly and appeared to be favouring his leg or ankle. He left the game but would later return. Slovakia lost the bronze-medal match to Finland in 2010 while the Russians finished a disappointing sixth. Russia is trying to duplicate what Canada was able to do four years ago in winning Olympic gold on home soil. Anthony Rizzo Jersey . Ronaldo netted his 14th goal of the season in Europes top competition to give Madrid a clear advantage ahead of next weeks quarterfinal return leg in Germany. But it came at a price as the Portugal forward, who came into the first-leg nursing a sore left knee, came off in the 80th minute. Sammy Sosa Jersey . PAUL, Minn. http://www.cubsteamproshop.com/cubs-drew-smyly-jersey/ . Im very excited about the playoffs, particularly in the Western Conference with amazing match-ups, as well as the wonderful local story in the Toronto Raptors. It should be a blast. Here are my predictions, but based upon my lousy prognostications during the NCAA Tournament, you might be better off going the other way on some of mine - particularly with the Raptors, who I hope and pray are able to win an incredibly difficult match-up.COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Sounding like a grizzled manager referring to his shut-down relief pitcher, Urban Meyer called Kenny Guiton "the old right-hander." Come to think of it, maybe Guiton is No. 3 Ohio States closer. He took over when Braxton Miller left with a sprained left knee, running for one touchdown and passing for two on Saturday while keeping the Buckeyes right on task with a 42-7 victory over San Diego State. The win extended the nations longest winning streak to 14 in a row. "The old right-hander steps in again," Meyer said with a grin. "He really did a nice job. Hes too slow, not strong-enough armed and all he does is lead, manage, distribute and has an incredible knowledge of the game. And incredible leadership skills. "And our players respond." Miller watched the last three quarters from the sideline after being sandwiched between two tacklers on the Buckeyes seventh offensive play. The Buckeyes (2-0) didnt need him. "I think Ive heard coach Meyer say hes as good a backup quarterback as there is in the country," said a frustrated Rocky Long, coach of the Aztecs (0-2). "I dont know how they decide which one starts, to be honest with you. Theyre both of them very good players." Meyer said Miller wasnt hurt badly. "We had a long discussion on the sideline. I think he could have (returned)," Meyer said. "But the things that make him dangerous are his wheels and I dont think it would have been (the same). So we decided it was best not to. I think theres a chance hell be ready next week." The Buckeyes play at California in their first road game. Guiton, who helped save Ohio States 12-0 season a year ago, had the most playing time hes ever had in a game. He set career bests with 19 of 28 passing for 152 yards and 83 rushing yards. In his 16 games coming in, he had completed 14 of 25 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions with just 59 yards rushing 14 attempts. "I am joking: He does have a strong enough arm and he is fast enough," Meyer said. "But hes got to go in with a little more confidence. When he does, hes fun to watch." Ohio State dominated from the outset, but a crowd of 104,984 at Ohio Stadium sat in stunned silence when Miller was injured on Ohio States first offensive series. On fourth and 1 at the Aztecs 12, Miller carried to the right side and then cut back. He was trying to squirm for an extra yard or two when he was hit by defensive back King Holder while going backwards, with middle linebacker Jake Fely then hitting him and knocking his helmet off. Miller lay on the turf for a short time, rubbing his head. He was attended by a doctor, and eventually left the field under his own power, although he limped slightly. A team physician on the bench manipulated his left knee and he grimaced in pain. Miller was taken from the field on a cart. In came Guiton, who on the very next play handed to freshman Donttre Wilson, who sprinted around end for a 7-yard score. Javier Baez Jersey. "I actually wasnt that nervous. I prepared all week like a starter," Guiton said. "Once I got in I took my first hit, got my first throw, after that it was just, Lets go." The senior from Texas also tossed a 27-yard scoring pass to Corey Brown and then handed off to Jordan Hall for a 4-yard score with 3 seconds left in the first quarter. During the lull before the ensuing kickoff, Miller received a loud ovation as he jogged across the field from the ramp leading to the locker room to the Ohio State sideline. Miller, wearing a large knee brace, remained on the sideline the rest of the game, never putting on a helmet but occasionally speaking to coach Urban Meyer and his teammates. Meanwhile, Guiton was large and in charge. "I did my best to try and lead in everything," he said. "I tried to let my words be heard, tried to impact the team no matter what." Just like they did a week ago in rolling to a 23-0 lead, the Buckeyes got off to a big early lead. This time, however, they didnt allow the opponent to get back in the game as Buffalo did in Ohio States 40-20 victory. Guiton kept around the left side on a 44-yard scoring run. Rod Smith, coming off a one-game suspension for an unspecified violation of team rules, tacked on a 1-yard touchdown to make it 35-0 at the half. It wasnt the first time in which Guiton came on in relief of Miller and grabbed the spotlight. Guiton had taken over for an injured Miller late in last seasons eighth game, against Purdue. Trailing by eight points with 47 seconds left at his own 35-yard line he led the Buckeyes to an improbable touchdown and then threw a 2-point conversion pass to force overtime. The Buckeyes won 29-22 on the way to the sixth unbeaten, untied season at the school. Guiton hit a leaping Brown on a 24-yard scoring pass in the third quarter. His only mistake was a second-quarter interception by cornerback Damontae Kazee -- leaping, twisting, one-handed grab that will probably end up on a few highlight reels. It was another disappointing outing for the Aztecs (0-2), who lost 40-19 to FCS Eastern Illinois at home in their opener. "Theyre a good football team but its on us again," wide receiver Colin Lockett said. "They came out ready to play and we didnt. The scoreboard shows it." San Diego State, which went 9-4 a year ago and played in a bowl game for the third season in a row, didnt get on the board until late in the third quarter. Backup quarterback Quinn Kaehler flipped a 2-yard scoring pass to Chad Young to make it 42-7. Kaehler, who completed 22 of 36 passes for 216 yards and a touchdown with one interception, took over for starter Adam Dingwell after he was intercepted by Doran Grant on the Aztecs second possession. Dingwell finished 0 for 5 passing with the pick. "Everything were doing right now," Long said, "is frustrating." Wholesale NFL T-shirts Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping NFL Jerseys Wholesale China NFL Gear Wholesale NFL Camo Jerseys Cheap NFL Hoodies Camo China NFL Jerseys ' ' '
