Winter Olympics 2022 - Russians start men's ice hockey title defence with narrow win over Switzerland

Updated 09/02/2022 at 11:29 GMT

The Russian Olympic Committee are off to a winning start at the Games after a narrow 1-0 win over Switzerland. A fortunate goal by Anton Slepyshev was enough to get them on their way - but he was also given a double minor penalty for a headbutt. Watch every moment of the Games on discovery+.

Anton Slepyshev scored the only goal but was given a double minor penalty for a headbutt

Image credit: Getty Images

The Russian Olympic Committee have begun their men's ice hockey title defence with a tight 1-0 win over Switzerland in their opening game at the Winter Games in Beijing.

CSKA Moscow forward Anton Slepyshev opened the scoring with less than three seconds to go in the first period, after his cross took a huge deflection off Enzo Corvi into the back of the net.

Tensions built at the end of the first half, with a dust up between both sets of players, moments before Slepyshev went from hero to villain when he was given a four-minute penalty for a headbutt.

Beijing 2022

Pure Olympics - Ice Hockey

00:02:53

24/02/2022 at 17:19

Switzerland failed to take advantage of the powerplay and the Russians were thankful to goalkeeper Ivan Fedotov, who kept a clean sheet with 33 saves.

Former Carolina Blue Jackets forward Gregory Hofmann, one of few players involved in the competition who have played in the NHL this season, was the most wasteful of the Swiss team - with six attempts.

ROC continue their defence against Denmark on Friday, while the USA and Canada both begin their challenge on Thursday against China and Germany respectively.