A dramatic victory

All the members of the U.S. men's hockey team playing in the Sochi Games were born after the Americans' shocking victory at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid against a Soviet Union team stocked with Red Army soldiers and stars.

After a 34-year wait, the Russians finally got the chance Saturday to be the home team against a U.S. squad infinitely more experienced and skilled than the one that pulled off the upset known as the "Miracle on Ice" on the way to winning the Olympic gold medal.

The U.S. team certainly showed a flair for drama against Russia, delivering more action and suspense than could be contained in three regulation periods.

Russia's third shooter, Ilya Kovalchuk, the former New Jersey Devil who retired from the NHL to play in Russia for the Kontinental Hockey League team in St. Petersburg, matched Oshie's first score to extend the shootout.

Vladislav Tretyak, the legendary Soviet goalie and former national team coach who is now president of the Russian Ice Hockey Federation, said in an interview after the game that the officials had made the correct decision.