BEIJING: Slovakia claimed a shock shootout win over the US to reach the semifinals of the men’s ice hockey tournament at the Beijing Games today to set up a chance of claiming the country’s first ever Olympic medal in the sport.
Peter Cehlarik clinched the victory as the only skater to score in the nail-biting shootout by beating US netminder Strauss Mann after overtime ended with the score tied at 2-2.
After Cehlarik scored the US had one last chance to extend the shootout but captain Andy Miele could not beat netminder Patrik Rybar and the Slovakia bench erupted in wild celebration.
The US appeared to have locked up a semifinal spot in regulation leading 2-1 until Slovakia pulled Rybar for an extra attacker and were rewarded with the equaliser from captain Marek Hrivik with 46 seconds remaining to force overtime.