Sweden vs. Slovakia - 02-25-10
-We finally got a quarterfinal upset. The defending champions go down, 4-3, to plucky Slovakia.
-Considering how strong Henrik Lundqvist was coming into this game and how much trouble Slakia has the day before with Norway, this was a very surpring game. It results in Slovakia being guaranteed of finishing in fourth place or higher for the first time in the Olympics.
-Lundqvist was brutal. Simply brutal. He actually set the modern Olympic record for longest shutout sequence over the course of several games in the period. but then, the roof caved in on him in the second. Sweden needed him to simply be ordinary, but he couldn't even do that. He allowed four goals on just 14 shots. Awful.
-Across the ice, Jaroslav Halak was marvelous. He rebounded after an iffy game against Norway to turn out a gem.
-For a guy who has missed most of the NHL season, Pavol Demitra has been a difference maker in this tournament. He scored the winning goal in the preliminary shootout round win against Russa. And he had a hand in three of Slovakia's goals tonight.
-Marian Hossa and Marian Gaborik hooked upon a goal tonight as well. They might be the best elite duo of forwards on any team in this tournament.
-Slovakia's depth, which was a question mark coming into this tournament came through. Two of their goals came from role players in defenseman Andrej Sekera and forward Tomas Kopecky. Kopecky scored the winning goal.
-No disrespect to Slovakia, but Canada's road to the gold medal is a lot easier now. The Slovaks get a chance to play in the semifinals.
-This will likely be the final time we see Nicklas Lidstrom, Peter Forsberg or Daniel Alfredsson in the Olympics.
-Did anyone see the Sedins?
-Sweden had a 29-14 lead in shots.
-Lidstrom led the game with five.
-Marian Hossa led Slovakia with three.
-Lidstrom led the game with 26:03 of ice time.
-Zdeno Chara led Slovakia with 23:32.
-Hossa had 19:58 of playing time, three assists and was a +1. Fire Ray Shero.
-Zigmund Palffy had 11:32, one assists and was a minus-1. Promote Craig Patrick.
-Martin Strbak had 20:11 despite being hobbled by a blocked shot in the third. Fire Craig Patrick.
-Miroslav Satan had 14:19 one shot and was a minus -2. Promote Ray Shero.
(Photo: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)