GANGNEUNG
Brandon Montour Jersey Kids , South Korea (AP) Jan Mursak scored the tying goal in the final minutes of regulation and the winner in overtime as Slovenia
came back to stun the United States 3-2 Wednesday night at Kwandong Hockey
Centre in each team’s Olympic opener.Mursak, Slovenia’s only player with NHL
experience, scored with goaltender Gasper Kroselj pulled for the extra attacker
with 1:37 left in the third period and scored the winner 38 seconds into
overtime. As Mursak’s shot went past goaltender Ryan Zapolski, U.S. players hung
their heads on the bench before Slovenia players celebrated with their fans.It
wasn’t the only surprise of the night, though the U.S. like all the other teams
is playing without NHL players for the first time since 1994. Across town, the
favored Russians opened Olympic play with a 3-2 loss to Slovakia.Zapolski
allowed three goals on 25 shots, including the first goal by Jan Urbas. Kroselj
stopped 34 of the 36 shots he faced to pick up the victory, giving up goals to
Brian O’Neill and Jordan Greenway.After a feeling-out period in the first few
minutes and American defenseman Noah Welch sliding in front of a wide-open net
for the save of the game
Womens Cam Fowler Jersey , the U.S. began drawing penalties with its speed and then found a way to cash in. Forward Garrett Roe flew down the left wing and
dished the puck to a waiting O’Neill to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead 17:44
in.Kroselj made a handful of quality saves to keep Slovenia in the game, and
Zapolski had to do the same in the second period, stopping Urbas on a one-timer
with Greenway in the box and the U.S. on the penalty kill.Greenway, who was
noticeably frustrated when he was denied on a point-blank chance early, made up
for it with a heads-up play that made it 2-0. Defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti’s
initial shot pinballed off O’Neill in front and Greenway sped to the net to put
home the rebound 12:57 into the second.The U.S. doubled up Slovenia in shots
after two but couldn’t pull away and increase its margin of error. It became
razor thin 5:49 into the third when Gregorc beat Zapolski to get Slovenia on the
board.With captain Brian Gionta off for tripping, the U.S. got a couple of
scares when Slovenia hit the post early on the power play and then almost scored
moments later. With 1:37 left, Mursak scored from in front when playing 6-on-5.
