USA’s gold medal odds improve
SOCHI, RUSSIA (The Spread) – The U.S.’s men’s ice hockey team’s gold medal odds are improving by the day.
In easily the most exciting hockey game of the 2014 Olympics, the United States defeated Russia 3-2 thanks to T.J. Oshie scoring four goals out of six attempts in a shootout. Following the victory, the United States’ odds to win the gold medal in ice hockey went from 5/1 to 3/1 but they were still listed behind Russia, who was 11/4.
But things have changed.
The USA cruised past Slovenia on Sunday to the tune of a 5-1 blowout. Phil Kessel scored a hat trick by scoring the first three goals of the game while Ryan McDonagh and David Backes chipped in with two more goals as the Americans avoided a letdown versus an overmatched Slovenia team. Ryan Miller also picked up his first win in Sochi by saving 17 of 18 shot attempts.
Russia did rebound from its loss to the U.S. but it squeaked by a brutal Slovakia team 1-0 in a shootout and now its gold medal odds have dropped.
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, Canada is still favored to win the gold medal in hockey at 8/5, but the U.S.’s odds have improved to 11/4 and Russia is now 3/1. Sweden is 5/1 to win the gold, while Finland is 14/1 and the Czech Republic and Switzerland are 25/1, respectively. Slovakia has the worst odds at 100/1.
The qualifications for the Quarterfinal round in ice hockey will being on Tuesday morning at 3:00AM ET.
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