With the NHL dropping out of the Olympics just months before opening faceoff, many thought it would be tough to predict results in the men's hockey tournament.
Saturday was a perfect example of that theory becoming reality.
The reigning Olympic champions lost while a newcomer to the Winter Games recorded its second win in three games on what turned out to be a wild night in Beijing.
5:6. On the powerplay, Libor Sulak unleashes a powerful wrister past Ivan Fedotov, meaning that the Czechs have won a fantastic match.
One point in a true spectacle. Our players will next be in action in the quarter-finals of the Olympic Games! #Beijing2022— Russia Hockey (@russiahockey_en) February 12, 2022
The Russians, who captured gold in 2018 in Pyeongchang, rallied from a 4-2 third-period deficit to take a 5-4 lead on the Czech Republic -- only to lose 6-5 in overtime. Despite the loss, the Russians won Group B and earn a direct berth in the quarterfinals.
But it hasn't been smooth sailing for the Russians, who notched 1-0 and 2-0 wins over Switzerland and Denmark, respectively, before falling to the Czech Republic.
Libor Sulak scored the winner on a power play with 31 seconds left in overtime while David Krejci had a goal and two assists for the Czech Republic, which finished third in Group B.
Surprisingly, it's Denmark, making its first Olympic appearance, that finishes second in Group B at 2-1 after a 5-3 win over Switzerland.
The Great Danes
Game Story https://t.co/5O06SQ7yTV@DKIshockey #Beijing2022 #icehockey pic.twitter.com/1w87g76wIZ— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) February 12, 2022
Denmark beat Norway 2-0 in Oslo last August to earn the Olympic ticket.
Mikkel Boedker, Peter Regin, Nicolai Meyer and Frederik Storm, with two, scored for the Danes on Saturday.
Boedker and Regin are former NHLers, both of whom spent time with the Ottawa Senators.
The three group winners and the best second-place team avoid the sudden-death qualifying round and head directly to the quarterfinals.
Germany 3, China 2
Two days after losing 8-0 to the United States in its Olympic debut in men's hockey, China was far more competitive against the Germans. Edmonton native Parker Foo and Tyler Wong of Lethbridge, Alta., scored for China. Former Toronto Maple Leaf Korbinian Holzer, ex-Edmonton Oiler Dominik Kahun and Marcel Brandt scored for the Germans, who won silver at the 2018 Games.
Sunday schedule
Slovakia vs. Latvia, 11:10 p.m. ET (Saturday)
Finland vs. Sweden, 3:40 a.m. ET
Canada vs. China, 8:10 a.m.
Germany vs. United States, 8:10 a.m.
Sunday spotlight
Rivals Finland and Sweden square off for first place in Group C, which comes with an automatic berth in the quarterfinals. Finland has silver and gold at the past two World Championships. Sweden had a down year at the worlds, missing the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, the Americans are in the driver's seat in Group A and can take first with a win over Germany.
