Follow the Olympic Games on RDS and Sportish

BEIJING — Peter Cehlarik scored the winning goal in the penalty shootout as Slovakia upset the United States 3-2 on Wednesday in the quarterfinals of the Beijing Olympics men’s hockey tournament.

In the fourth round of the shootout, Cehlarik made a nice fake before slotting the puck to the right of goaltender Strauss Mann. The Americans were cleared in five shootout attempts.

After goalkeeper Patrik Rybar stopped Andy Miele’s shot to secure the victory, assistant coach Jan Pardavy hugged head coach Craig Ramsay, and Slovakia celebrated their first half-time qualification. -finals in men’s hockey since the Vancouver Games in 2010.

“It’s exciting,” said Ramsay, who played 14 seasons in the NHL and spent more than two decades in the league in an assistant role.

“Even when the puck went in the net, when Cehlarik scored and ‘Pardo’ almost broke me in half, I kept saying; ‘Did we win? Did we win this game?’ Because on the fifth shootout, you lose track. It’s so exciting. I know what (my players) feel and I feel it too.

USA led 2-1 late in the game when Marek Hrivik forced overtime with just 43.7 seconds remaining. Slovakia had withdrawn their goalkeeper in favor of an additional player.

The Americans had won all three of their preliminary round games and automatically advanced to the quarter-finals by virtue of their first place in Group A and the overall standings.

17-year-old Juraj Slafkovsky scored his fifth goal of the tournament for Slovakia. He is a top prospect heading into the upcoming NHL Draft. Goalkeeper Patrik Rybar finished the game with 33 saves.

Nick Abruzzese and Sam Hentges moved the ropes for the United States. Mann blocked 34 pucks before the shootout.

Minutes after missing his penalty shootout attempt, spelling the death knell for Team USA, Team USA captain Miele removed his gloves and wiped the tears from his face.

“I’m only sad it’s over,” he said.

“That one is going to hurt for a while,” admitted veteran defender Steven Kampfer, who felt the United States were the better side for most of the game.

Brendan Brisson, Sean Farrell, Matt Knies, Nathan Smith and Miele all failed in the shootout.

Four years ago, in Pyeongchang, the American skaters were also shut out in five attempts in a loss against the Czech Republic.

“It’s a difficult situation when the outcome of the game depends on you,” remarked Miele.

“I wanted to score, I didn’t and it’s really frustrating. I don’t know what else to say.”

In one of two semi-finals on Friday’s schedule, Slovakia will face Finland, who beat Switzerland 5-1.

Twelve different players picked up a point for Finland, who won on just 23 shots. At the other end, goalkeeper Harri Sateri blocked 33 Swiss shots, including 14 in the third period.

It will be the second time since the start of the Olympic tournament that Finland and Slovakia have fought. During the preliminary round, the Finns had won 6-2, but Slovakia seems to be showing a different face.

“You’re looking to improve as the tournament goes on, and I think they’ve gotten there,” Finnish team captain Valtteri Filppula noted of the Slovaks.

“They played very well in their last game. It will be a tough match.”

Denmark 1 – ROC 3

Vadim Shipachyov had a goal and an assist as the Russian Olympic Committee beat Denmark 3-1.

Defenders Nikita Nesterov and Vyacheslav Voinov also threaded the needle for the Russian side, who finished first in Group B and third overall.

Nikita Gusev and Arseni Gritsyuk both had two assists for the Russian players, who saw goaltender Ivan Fedotov save 17 pucks.

Former NHLer Frans Nielsen replied for Denmark, which surprised during the tournament with two wins. Sebastian Dahm gave in three times in 40 throws.

The Russians were leading 2-1 late in the third period when Denmark went two-to-one shorthanded. Fedotov, however, made a spectacular save at the expense of Nielsen.

Moments later, Voinov fired a shot from the wrists of the point that deceived the vigilance of Dahm. The Danish keeper didn’t see anything due to the traffic in front of him.

In the semi-finals, the Russian Olympic Committee will face Sweden who shut out Canada 2-0.