Winter Olympics 2022 - Russian Olympic Committee through to ice hockey gold-medal match after beating Sweden in shootout

Updated 18/02/2022 at 16:28 GMT

Sweden missed five penalties in a row in the shootout and twice missed the chance to win the match to let the Russian Olympic Committee steal a place in the final, where they will play Finland for the gold medal. Finland had earlier beaten Slovakia 2-0 in their semi-final.

ROC's players celebrate winning their men's semi-final ice hockey match against Sweden during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games

Image credit: Getty Images

The Russian Olympic Committee beat Sweden on penalties after the tightest of matches to send the nation through to the men's ice hockey final.

In a cagey first period, both sides failed to capitalise on a two-minute man advantage after the ROC's Vladimir Tkachyov was dismissed for slashing and Sweden's Dennis Everberg for tripping.

But the ROC eventually took the lead in the second through Anton Slepyshev, with Sweden's Anton Lander equalising in the third.

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Both sides were well matched with the ROC having 39 shots on goal to Sweden's 34, and were forced into overtime once again these Games.

Ivan Fedotov produced a brilliant save three minutes from time to keep the ROC in the game, and it was penalties to separate the two at the end.

Sweden missed two chances in the shootout to win the match but the two sides could not be separated after five penalties each as Ivan Fedotov saved from Carl Klingberg.

Two more saves in sudden death kept the match alive with just two goals each after six penalties apiece.

But with Sweden missing five in a row, ROC's Arseni Gritsyuk finally put his side into the final to the sound of thunderous celebrations.

They will face Finland in the gold-medal match on Sunday after they beat Slovakia 2-0 earlier on Friday.

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