We are so beautiful

Russia today began its campaign at the Olympics, playing against the "underdog of underdogs" Slovenia, in a dangerous game exactly because the opponent has nothing to lose while for Russians win the gold at home is more than a duty.

A fantastic atmosphere welcomes teams on ice, Russia has Datsyuk-Radulov-Kovalchuck in the first line and Ovechkin-Malkin-Syomin in the second, with Semyon Varlamov in the gate; Slovenia put its lethal weapons – Anze Kopitar and Jan Mursak - all in the first line, along with experienced David Rodman. 01:17: Aleksander Ovechkin received from Malkin, look the goalie and scores with no chances for Kristan. Slovenian goalie is amazing on Kulemin some seconds later, avoiding 2-0 in less than 2 minutes, but is with no chance when Yevgeni Malkin received by Ovechkin at 03.54 and easily scores 2-0. It’s (obviously) Kopitar to break the siege and calls Varmalov for the first save, while Kristan is again decisive on Popov in the following counter-attack. Same Popov prefers to assist Tereshenko instead of shooting and Kristan can deflect. Russiandefense let Rok Ticar try to tease Varlamov: good preparation, weak shot. At 16:00 Kopitar saves on Nichushkin with the goal opened giving Russia a powerplay. Also Slovenia has the first man advantage at the end of period, used more to keep Russians far from Kristan cage. Despite a significant 18-4  shots-on-goal Russia has a great start scoring 2 goals in 3 minutes but tends to play looking for the most difficult move, mirrored in its own talent: players prefer to look for the classy move rather then shot in the goal. Of course the weakness of the opponent stimulates this style of playing. It’s dangerous to play with the fire: at 21:43 Russia is still in the locker room and let Ziga Jeglic aim the shot and beat Varlamov for an historic first Slovenian goal in the Olympics. Moments after a naïve mistake Tyutin could cost the second Slovenian goal, but Varlamov is very reactive in deflecting Sabolic shot. It’s a fantastic start of period for Slovenia, now playing head-to-head with Russia with no fear. In a period dominated by Slovenia, Russia needs a power play to score the third goal: Malkin served Ilya Kovalchuk from behind the net: sharp shot and 3-1. Game over? Not today and not for Slovenia: at 38:52 Sabolic again finds Jeglic and the forward is quicker then Nikitin and beats Varlamov. 8 shots and 2 goals in 40 minutes for Slovenia, while the Russian effort produces 27 shots and 3 goals.

The Slovenian wall

Slovenia start well also the last quarter, lost a good chance and suffered the fourth goal at 43:59 when Valeri Nichuskhin manages to beat Kristan maybe pushing the goalie who falls in the net. Despite the Slovenian bench protests, the goal is validated by American referee Dave Jackson. Game changes again: Russia played “as Russia” for two minutes around 45, crushing Slovenia in its defensive quarter: Radulov misses an incredible chance but seconds after, at 47:53, Anton Belov scores 5^th goal with a mid range shot. It’s another red wave: pass, destroy and go away. Russia wins the game, break the ice and earns three points but what else? Bilyaletdinov team has to learn to be less narcissistic and more efficient, in the future Slovakia and Usa waiting for it, there are no more Slovenias on the way.

In the mixed zone Aleksander Ovechkin admittes: "It was good lessons for us: First game is always hard, but we played against a good team, a hard-working team, and we started really well, but after when we got the lead 2-0, we played more casual, and we can't play like that in the future." while a worried Yevgeni Malkin merely says: "I am happy we have the points for the team. It's much better. I'm not about my game, just doing my job. It's a little bit tough because the ice is so much bigger, but every game I feel better, and I hope I will play better."

In the opposite mood, a radiant Ziga Jeglic: "it's really, really nice (to score the first two goals in the Olympic Games for Slovenia), the feeling is great, and I hope that it's not the last and that we will be competing good in the next two games against US and Slovakia. This was a tough game, as expected. Especially at the start, they were flying all over. Our goalie was playing phenomenal in the start, and we kind of surprised them in the second period a little bit. But in the third they were well prepared, and they beat us. A well deserved win for Russia, good luck to them."

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