Sochi Watch: Miller leads Team USA to win over Slovenia on Day 5

Ryan Miller stopped 17 of the 18 shots he faced Sunday for Team USA. (Photo by Jen Hefner/MiHockey)

 

On the final day of the preliminary round for men’s national teams at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Ryan Miller got to showcase his skills on the world stage once more.

Miller, the East Lansing native and former Michigan State Spartan, lost his shutout bid in the closing moments, stopping 17 of 18 to lead Team USA to a 5-1 win over Slovenia.

The win, Miller’s sixth in Olympic competition, moves him into second place all-time on the Team USA wins list – just one behind Jack McCartan.

It also secured the No. 2 seed for Team USA. That means the Americans will play the winner of Tuesday’s Czech Republic vs. Slovakia game.

The U.S. will resume play on Wednesday, Feb. 19.

In the other games of the day, Canada needed overtime to beat Finland 2-1, Russia needed a shootout to beat Slovakia 1-0 and Austria beat Norway 3-1.

MiHockey Player Watch:

Brian Lebler – University of Michigan alum, Linz EHC (Austria) – Team Austria – no points, no shots, even plus/minus – 13:07 TOI

Pavel Datsyuk – Detroit Red Wings – Team Russia – no points, no shots, even plus/minus, 19:47 TOI

Cam Fowler – Farmington native, Anaheim Ducks – Team USA – no points, no shots, +2 rating, 15:13 TOI

Ryan Kesler – Livonia native, Vancouver Canucks – Team USA – no points, 1 shot, even plus/minus, 18:01 TOI

Ryan Miller – East Lansing native, Buffalo Sabres – Team USA – 18 shots against, 17 saves, 1 goal allowed, 60:00 TOI

Duncan Keith – Michigan State alum, Chicago Blackhawks – Team USA – no points, 3 shots, even plus/minus, 22:29 TOI

Chris Kunitz – Ferris State alum, Pittsburgh Penguins – Team USA – no points, 1 shot, even plus/minus, 8:21 TOI