Demitra scores in shootout and Halak makes key saves to lift Slovakia to 2-1 win vs. Russia

Slovakia beats Russia 2-1 in shootout for 1st win

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Pavol Demitra scored on Slovakia’s seventh attempt in a shootout and Jaroslav Halak made some big saves, lifting the Slovaks to a 2-1 win over Russia on Thursday night in a thriller at the Vancouver Games.

Two-time NHL MVP Alex Ovechkin scored on one of three chances in the shootout for the Russians.

Marian Hossa scored midway through the third period to pull the Slovaks into a tie. Russia’s Alex Morozov had a goal early in the second period.

Ilya Bryzgalov stopped 31 shots through the overtime for the Russians, and Halak had 36 saves entering the shootout.

Slovakia had a 5-on-3 power play for more than a minute early in the third but couldn’t take advantage, and the Russians failed to score with an extra skater midway through the period.

Both teams looked tired in the overtime, leading to few scoring chances.