WinterSports2002.com - Bronze for Russia

WinterSports2002.com, Sunday, February 24, 2002

Bronze for Russia

By Jody Genessy
Deseret News Olympic specialist

WEST VALLEY CITY — To briefly summarize what happened at the conclusion of the bronze-medal game Saturday at the E Center:

Russia skated off with the hardware — Belarus skated off with everybody's hearts.

Though only a third-place game, this had huge national implications for the highly favored Russian team, which acted more relieved than excited once the lopsided 7-2 blowout finally came to a merciful end.

If the Russian players thought Friday's emotional 3-2 semifinal loss to the rival United States was tough to swallow, a defeat to an unheralded underdog and former Soviet Union republic would've been devastating.

A defeat definitely would have given the Russians something else at these Olympics to complain about.

"If we lost, we'd be the worst (Russian) team in history," said Russia's Igor Kravtchouk. "At least we get a bronze medal."

There was little doubt that the mighty Russians would beat their ex-compatriots. Belarus again made things interesting for a short while, forging a 2-2 tie early in the second. But minutes later, Russia delivered a Belarussian back-breaker by scoring two goals in 23 seconds.

A few final BEL-A-RUS chants erupted after that as the crowd tried to rally around their adopted favorites, but another shocker wasn't to be on this day.

"It's a great feeling when people cheer for you. It's really amazing," said Belarus defenseman Ruslan Salei. "I want to thank the people here very much."

The Belarussians deserve a "thank you" from the fans for staging one of the greatest-ever upsets in Olympic history this week. That, of course, came Wednesday, when Belarus absolutely stunned Sweden in a 4-3 semifinal victory.

Belarus lost its next two games by large margins — as it had the three previous games against the NHL-ized Dream Teams — but the country proved you don't need to leave with a prize to leave as Olympic champions.

"We feel great," said Salei, the only NHL player (for now) on Belarus' roster. "We accomplished what nobody thought we could. Hopefully, they (Belarussians at home) are proud of us. We are proud."

There's no doubt Belarus is proud. The Belarussians had to fight their way through a preliminary round to make it into the elite eight. And that inspiring win over Sweden will go down as the greatest sporting moment in the young country's history.

"All of my players are in a very good mood right now. They reached their maximum," said Belarus coach Vladimir Krikunov after the loss. "This is something they will remember not only for the Games but for their whole lives.

"We really made the people of Belarus happy after beating Sweden. I'm sure they're still celebrating."

Though still disappointed with the controversial loss to the Americans, the Russians were trying to be positive about their Olympic experience.

"I got the complete package now — gold, silver, bronze," said defenseman Karius Kasparaitas, who won gold with the Unified Team in 1992 and silver in Nagano with Russia.

"Today I feel great. It was a good tournament. I got this (medal). It was better than going home three days ago."

And much better than going home a week ago for Belarus.

E-MAIL: jody@desnews.com