Men’s Hockey: Wheeler In The Lineup As United States Battle Russia

The Winnipeg Jets will have Blake Wheeler representing their team once again when Team USA takes on Austria in their final preliminary game in Group A of the Sochi Olympics on Saturday.

The States, who were not active on Friday, will face a Russian team that also have a day of rest under their belts.

Russia, being the home country, immediately has the most pressure on any team, and captain Alex Ovechkin shouldered the responsibility well in the nation’s first game, scoring just minutes in as the Russians went on to beat Slovenia 4-2.

The United States used a massive onslaught in the second period to rout Slovakia 7-1, with a two goal night from the teams’ “extra forward”, in Paul Stasny.

Wheeler will suit up as the 13th forward, according to this tweet by USA Hockey:

USA Hockey also released a tweet saying that Jonathan Quick would start his second straight game for the club, after a 22-save win against the Slovaks on Thursday. At the other end will be reigning Vezina Trophy holder Sergei Bobrovsky, who was on the bench when the Russians took on Slovenia.

The game gets underway at 6:30 AM CT. You can see it live on CBC in Canada, or NBCSN in the States.

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