fresh off a thrilling 3-2 shootout loss to the Americans

Jan Laco did everything he could. 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. Custom Detroit Pistons Jerseys .com) - Pittsburgh Steelers running back LeVeon Bell, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Elvis Dumervil and New England Patriots punter Ryan Allen were selected as the AFCs top players for Week 14 of the NFL season. Jon Leuer Jersey . -- Steven Stamkos scored his first goal since returning from a major injury, Ryan Callahan had his first goal with Tampa Bay, and the Lightning beat the Florida Panthers 5-4 on Thursday night. http://www.basketballpistonsauthority.co...ns-jersey-c-27/. Head coach Lindy Ruff confirmed on Sunday that his starting goalie has a head injury and the team will take it day by day. Dennis Rodman Jersey . Ferrer was unable to find his rhythm in losing 6-4, 6-2 to Teymuraz Gabashvili in his opening match while Nadal struggled past fellow Spanish player Albert Ramos 7-6 (2), 6-4. Nadal eventually overcame his 103rd-ranked opponent to reach the third round, rebounding from a surprise loss to Ferrer in the Monte Carlo Masters quarterfinals. Joe Smith Jersey . The first of the three games will be played in Week 4, when the Oakland Raiders will take on the Miami Dolphins on Sept.Miami, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - The Miami Marlins made it official Friday, inking infielder Jeff Baker to a two-year contract. No financial terms were disclosed, but previous reports from the Miami Herald had the deal worth $3.7 million. A nine-year veteran, Baker appeared in 74 games with the Texas Rangers last season, batting .279 with 11 homers and 21 RBI. "We are very excited to add such an experienced player in Jeff Bakker," Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said.dddddddddddd "Offensively and defensively, we like the options that his versatility will provide (manager) Mike Redmond." Baker is a career .267 hitter with 48 homers and 199 RBI over 617 games with the Rockies, Cubs, Tigers, Braves and Rangers. The Marlins designated outfielder Jimmy Paredes for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. Cheap Celtics Jerseys Wholesale Nets Jerseys Cheap Knicks Jerseys Cheap Stitched 76ers Jerseys Raptors Jerseys China Cheap Bulls Jerseys Wholesale Cavaliers Jerseys Pistons Jerseys China Pacers Jerseys China Cheap Bucks Jerseys Online Wholesale Hawks Jerseys Cheap Hornets Jerseys Wholesale Heat Jerseys Cheap Magic Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Wizards Jerseys Nuggets Jerseys China Timberwolves Jerseys China Cheap Thunder Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Blazers Jerseys Wholesale Jazz Jerseys Cheap Warriors Jerseys For Sale Cheap Clippers Jerseys Lakers Jerseys China Wholesale Suns Jerseys Cheap Kings Jerseys Authentic Cheap Mavericks Jerseys Rockets Jerseys China Cheap Grizzlies Jerseys Wholesale Pelicans Jerseys Spurs Jerseys China ' ' '