Norway advanced to the men's ice hockey quarter-finals at the 2018 Winter Olympics on Tuesday after they came from behind to beat Slovenia 2-1 in overtime in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
Jan Urbas opened the scoring for Slovenia in the first period, but Tommy Kristiansen equalised in the third at the Gangneung Hockey Centre before Alexander Bonsaken grabbed the winner in overtime.
Norway will take on the Olympic Athletes from Russia for a place in the semi-final.
A dominant first period from Slovenia saw them outshoot Norway 16-9, and if not for goalkeeper Lars Haugen, the score could have been much more one-sided.
Norway did enjoy a promising chance early on, but a good save from Slovenia goalkeeper Gasper Groselj denied Patrick Thoresen.
After six minutes, Ludvig Hoff was hit with a penalty for hooking, handing Slovenia a two-minute power play.
They took full advantage, taking the lead just 28 seconds later when Urbas' first-time shot crept in at the post, having been teed up by Jan Mursak.
The pair continued to cause problems, and Haugen had to make a fine double-save to deny the former, and he also stopped the latter's late attempt in the first period.
Slovenia had the better of the play in the second period, having nine attempts on goal to Norway's four, but the Norwegians were better able to contain them.
They demonstrated as much late on when Slovenia were handed a power play, per the International Ice Hockey Federation:
Their improvement culminated in their equaliser early in the third period, when Kristiansen slapped in Martin Roymark's saucer pass.
Norway controlled the period with the momentum in their favour and outshot Slovenia 11-8, but having struggled for goals at the Games—they scored just three times prior to this match—they failed to convert their other opportunities.
Slovenia rattled the crossbar late on, a miss that would prove costly when Bonsaksen returned from the penalty box to grab the decider three minutes into overtime.
Read 0 Comments
Download the app for comments Get the B/R app to join the conversation