The world's biggest hockey nations have spots in the Olympic quarterfinals -- except the US.
The Americans got closer on Sunday, although it was not by their doing.
Rick DiPietro made 24 saves against Sweden but it was one too few to earn the point in the standings that would have clinched a place in the medal round. For the second straight day, the US was beaten 2-1. The Americans now has to wait until today to qualify for the quarters.
A win or tie against Russia in its final preliminary round game will do the trick as will a Latvian loss or tie versus Kazakhstan. But even if the US loses and Latvia wins, the goal differential would have to favor Latvia by 16 to knock the Americans (1-2-1) out.
Latvia helped the US chances by dropping a 9-2 decision to Russia. Kazakhstan lost all hope of catching the Americans with a 2-1 defeat to unblemished Slovakia (4-0).
The Slovaks can win Group B by beating Sweden today after the men's tournament takes a rest day.
Slovakia, Russia and Sweden made the medal round from Group B and likely will be joined by the Americans. They will play crossover games with the Group A teams, Finland, Switzerland, Canada and the Czech Republic.
Finland clinched the top spot in Group A on Sunday by handing Canada its second straight 2-0 loss.
Sweden 2, US 1
Daniel Alfredsson had a first-period goal and then helped set up Mikael Samuelsson's tiebreaker in the third.
The Americans' offense was so woeful it made the absence of Swedish star forward Peter Forsberg, who watched the game from the end of the bench, meaningless.
Only Mike Modano found the goal against Henrik Lundqvist, the New York Rangers goalie with the Statue of Liberty painted on his otherwise Swedish mask. He finished with 24 saves.
Finland 2, Canada 0
Teemu Selanne scored his sixth goal in four games and Finland stayed unbeaten.
The flying Finns overcame Canada's physicality and size advantage with excellent puck movement, transitional play and a strong game in net by Antero Niittymaki, who made 24 saves.
Niko Kapanen also scored during a two-goal Finn first period and Niittymaki, of the Philadelphia Flyers, made the lead stand up even as Canada pressured repeatedly.
Canada outshot Finland 19-16 over the final two periods after trailing 12-2 in shots late in the first.
Russia 9, Latvia 2
Ilya Kovalchuk scored four goals and Russia qualified for the quarterfinals. After dropping the opener to Slovakia 5-3, Russia has won three straight by a combined score of 15-2.
Evgeni Nabokov, who posted consecutive shutout victories over Sweden and Kazakhstan on 48 saves, finally conceded two.
Slovakia 2, Kazakhstan 1
Pavol Demitra's rush into the Kazakhstan zone set up Marian Hossa's go-ahead goal in the third period and Slovakia played only well enough to edge winless Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan has scored only four goals in being the only team in the 12-team tournament to go winless through four of five round-robin games in Turin.
Czech Republic 4, Italy 1
Vaclav Prospal scored three goals as the Czech Republic wrapped up a spot in the medal round.
Colorado Avalanche forward Milan Hejduk scored midway through the first period, Prospal, of the Tampa Bay Lightning, had his first goal 1:23 later and scored in the second period. Predators goaltender Tomas Vokoun made 15 saves for the Czechs (2-2), who had lost two straight.
Germany 2, Switzerland 2
Tino Boos scored the tying goal in the third period and Germany, ranked below Switzerland in the world rankings, pulled off a surprise tie that followed Swiss upsets of gold medal favorite Canada and the world champion Czech Republic.
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