on their respective teams appearance in the Sweet Sixteen. L

SOCHI, Russia -- Finland eliminated Russia from the Olympic mens hockey tournament with a 3-1 victory Wednesday, putting a stunning end to the Russians enormous expectations at home. Teemu Selanne scored an early goal and Tuukka Rask made 37 saves as Finland crushed the Russians dreams of winning hockey gold in front of their own fans. Russian teams have won eight gold medals in hockey, but none in the last 22 years. Selanne and Mikael Granlund each had a goal and an assist for the steady Finns, who overcame an early deficit and silenced the Bolshoy Ice Dome with two goals in the first period. Despite its roster of high-priced offensive stars, Russia couldnt score in the final 52 minutes after Ilya Kovalchuks early power-play goal. Finland will face top-seeded Sweden in the semifinals on Friday. Russia has failed to win a medal in three straight Olympics since 2002, and even home-ice advantage couldnt end the embarrassing drought. A quarter-final exit is excruciating for the proud Russian team, which pressed relentlessly and fruitlessly in the third period after falling behind by two goals. After the final buzzer, several Russian players stood on the ice with their hands on their knees. Evgeni Malkin, who failed to score a goal in the last four games, dropped to one knee before captain Pavel Datsyuk led the traditional post-game handshake line. The Russians then gathered at centre ice amid more jeers and whistles than cheers, mournfully raising their sticks to salute the fans before skating off the ice at an arena built to herald Russias return to hockey dominance. Alex Ovechkin, the reigning NHL MVP and one of the Sochi Games most public faces, failed to score another goal for Russia after scoring on his first shot just 1:17 into Russias opener against Slovenia. Malkin, the Russians other former NHL MVP, also didnt score a goal after the first four minutes of the opener. Ovechkin, Malkin and Datsyuk all hailed Russias home Olympics as the most important tournament of their careers, but theyll likely have only bitter memories. Russia didnt play horribly in Sochi, winning three of its five games, but lost a painful eight-round shootout to the U.S. team before falling behind early and failing to catch up against steady Finland. Semyon Varlamov allowed all three goals on 15 shots against the Finns before getting pulled for Sergei Bobrovsky during the second period. Juhamatti Aaltonen scored the first goal for Finland, the most consistently successful Olympic team in the last two decades, winning medals in four of the past five games. Russian fans realized the importance and peril of this game, filling the Olympic park early in the afternoon with cheers, chants and Russian flags. The Bolshoy crowd began chanting "Ro-ssi-ya!" even before pre-game warm-ups, waving hundreds of flags and banners emblazoned with hometowns and slogans. The tone was uncommonly intense from the opening faceoff. After Granlund took an early holding penalty in the offensive zone, captain Pavel Datsyuk fed Kovalchuk for a hard shot over Rasks shoulder. Kovalchuk popped the water bottle off the top of Finlands net and celebrated with a two-footed leap into the air amid ecstatic cheers. But moments later, Aaltonen made a beautiful move along the goal line, putting a shot under Varlamovs glove arm for the KHL forwards first goal in Sochi. Bolshoy got quiet, and it became positively funeral-like late in the period when Granlund moved up the boards, broke past two defencemen and fed Selanne for the Finn captains 22nd goal in a record-tying six trips to the Olympics. The 43-year-old Selanne extended his own record for the oldest player to score in an Olympics. Finland scored again on the power play early in the second, with Granlund collecting Selannes rebound and sliding in a backhand from a sharp angle. Granlund, who turns 22 in a week, hadnt been born when Selanne played in his first Olympics in 1992. Russia put together an impressive offensive stretch after Bobrovsky came on, with Rask forced to make a big save on Alexander Semins breakaway. The Russians continued to press in the third period, outshooting Finland 14-5, but Rask made big saves when his teammates didnt block Russias shots. Dozens of fans lingered in their seats long after the team left the ice, disconsolately folding their flags and staring at the ice. A few Finnish fans near centre ice even went up to a group of Russian fans for a hug. Wholesale Baltimore Ravens Jerseys .J. Ellis have avoided arbitration, agreeing to a one-year contract. Discount Baltimore Ravens Jerseys . -- Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday for the first time in his seven-year career because of a swollen muscle in his left upper back. http://www.cheapravens.com/ . -- New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has no concerns about the health of shortstop Derek Jeter, who was limited to 17 games last season due to leg injuries. Cheap Baltimore Ravens Jerseys Online . Dane Dobbie had four goals and two assists, Karsen Leung had two goals and two assists, and Matthew Dinsdale scored two and helped on another for Calgary (6-3). Shawn Evans and Jeff Shattler had eight-point games with a goal and seven assists apiece, and Jon Harnett and Geoff Snider also scored. Custom Ravens Jerseys .Y. -- When the New York Islanders lead was cut in half in the opening minute of the third period, the sense of impending doom began wafting through Nassau Coliseum.Awesome NCAA Tournament so far! Cant wait for the final six days of coverage on TSN. Enjoy! I know Im loving it. Tyler Ennis and Andrew Wiggins are out yet other Canadian players are having a big impact on their respective teams appearance in the Sweet Sixteen. Lets take a quick look at these impact guys. 1. NIK STAUSKAS (Michigan): Has made seven three-pointers so far and is averaging 16 points with a really sweet eight assists vs. Texas in the Round of 32. Love how hes playing. Wonderful shooter who can get his game off the bounce going as well. Nifty passer with a real keen sense of how to play. Much improved from 12 months ago. Plays with great enthusiasm and energy. 2. DYSHAWN PIERRE (Dayton): Averaging 13 ppg and 7 rpg with major plays in both the Ohio State and Syracuse upsets. Hes explosive off the bounce, can shoot the three, gets after it on the glass and guards. Plays with terrific poise. Huge FTs in both games. Love his presence on the floor and plays within himself making the right plays. Really impressed me. 3. DWIGHT POWELL and STEFAN NASTIC (Stanford): Have averaged between them 19 ppg and 10 rpg. Both play with lots of bounce in their step and love the energy. Their size and athleticism really frustrated Kansas on SSunday.dddddddddddd Hard-nosed defenders who battle for you every possession. Physical on the glass and set hard screens. Both are seniors and play a smart/polished game. 4. KENNY CHERRY & BRADY HESLIP (Baylor): The Canadian backcourt combined for 31 points and six assists in their upset win over Creighton. They also made nine three-point shots! Heslip was 10-for-10 on FTs in their opening round game as well. Both upperclassmen play at a nice pace and can hurt you in the transition game as well as in the half-court game. They play off of each other quite well and completely understand their roles and set up teammates beautifully. Nothing like having veteran players at your guard spots. 5. MELVIN EJIM and NAZ LONG (Iowa State): Ejim has been a significant guy for the Cyclones all year and he hasnt disappointed one bit in the NCAAs. Averaging 18ppg and 6 rpg and just refuses to lose. Major competitor with great athleticism and toughness. Makes whatever plays you need. Long was clutch against North Carolina making four threes and has deep range. With George Niang (16.2 ppg and 4.3 rpg) out for the remainder of the Tournament theyve needed everyone to play really well and these two havent let their team down one bit. 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