Olympic men’s hockey recap: Norway stuns Slovenia, 2-1 in overtime

Norway defeats Slovenia 2-1 in overtime, giving them their first victory in Olympics men’s hockey since 1992.

Alexander Bonsaksen went from goat to hero in three minutes, capping off Norway’s first Olympics men’s hockey victory in 24 years.

With the game tied at one, Bonsaksen took a penalty with ten seconds remaining in regulation. Norway had just killed off a power play in the final three minutes and giving Slovenia another shot with the man advantage surely spelled doom.

Norway survived the final ten seconds of regulation, but the four-on-three situation they faced in overtime didn’t bode well. Slovenia star Jan Mursak rang one off the post, but somehow, Norway survived. The whistle never blew following Bonsaksen’s exit from the box, keeping overtime at four-on-four.

Following a great individual effort by Patrik Thoresen, who beat three Slovenia defenders on his way to a prime scoring chance, and a scramble in front, the puck ended up on Bonsaksen’s stick. He wired a wrist shot from the high slot past Gasper Kroselj and into the back of the net.

Norway goalie Lars Haugen kept Norway in the game through 60 minutes, stopping 32 shots in regulation. The only puck that got by him was a power play blast by Jan Urbas.

Slovenia dominated the first period, outshooting Norway 16-9, but could manage just the one goal through 20 minutes. Norway did little to combat the pressure in the second, getting outshot 9-4. However, it remained a one goal game through 40 minutes.

Tommy Kristiansen found the equalizer three minutes in the third, stretching out and whacking a saucer pass by Martin Roymark past Kroselj and inside the far post.

Norway could not stay out of the way in the third, giving Slovenia three power plays with the game tied. It’s an issue that has plagued them all tournament, but they were able to survive it on this night.

Highlights

Next: Men's hockey: USA advances with 5-1 win over Slovakia

What’s Next?

Norway won’t have long to celebrate as they have a date with the Olympic Athletes from Russia in the quarterfinals. That game takes place at 2:40 a.m. ET on Wednesday morning.