If our man Brent Pope is not sure why Russia's goal has not been wiped out, then I haven't got a chance of providing further clarity. We will have to wait for an official ruling from the IOC to clear up that controversial decision.

So how can Russia react? Will it deflate the hosts or spur them on to a famous victory. Two minutes to go...

Brent Pope
BBC Sport ice hockey commentator

"It has gone in the net, I think potentially the high stick is the reason for it not being allowed because I do not believe that high post is a decider. The right post is marginally off, but I would not have thought that would be enough to have it disallowed. If it is, then we have just learned something."

Here it is - Russia grab the lead! Or do they? The officials are not so sure as they discuss whether the American goal was raised - which means Fyodor Tyutin's thunderous strike will not count if they think it was.

The whole arena waits for a decision, the Russian fans think it is a legitimate goal. But the officials do not! The Americans have another life as the Russian effort is chalked off. Boos ring out around the Bolshoy Ice Dome. The locals are not happy.

Image source, Getty Images

It's game over at the Shayba Arena as Switzerland beat Russia 2-0 to reach the semi-finals. A goal in the final 20 seconds from Swiss defender Lara Stalder ended the home team's hopes in the women's ice hockey. Switzerland go on to face three-time defending champions Canada in the last four.

Brent Pope
BBC Sport ice hockey commentator

"This my friends is a Pavel Datsyuk dart. Right into the bottom ride side of the American goal. He is a dangerman from almost any place in the offensive zone and he proves it once again. Catch your breath, because it's coming."

Cometh the hour, cometh the man! Russia captain Pavel Datsyuk shows his leadership qualities once again as he drags his side back level. Seven minutes for someone to become a hero in the Bolshoy Ice Dome.

Nick Hope
BBC Sport at the Olympic sliding centre in Sochi

"There is a sense of an 'after the Lord Mayor's Show' about the men's skeleton competition compared to the excitement and drama of Lizzy Yarnold's victory in the women's event yesterday.

"However, Team GB still have two men in action and the hosts will be desperate to see their man Alexander Tretiakov retain his lead at the top of the standings.

"Britain's former world champion Kristan Bromley continues to defy mother nature and at 41 is in an impressive joint eighth position. Dom Parsons, 26, is 11th. It would be a great achievement for his to sneak into the top-10 today."

We're underway from 14:45 GMT and you can watch the action on BBC Two after the conclusion of the ice hockey.

In 10 minutes or so, we will be return to the Sanki Sliding Centre for the finale of the men's skeleton. Here's what is happening...

John Ando:, external Although not much of a fan I'm enjoying this Russia/USA ice hockey game.

Mark:, external Russia dominating the game but I think USA building up momentum.

Patrick Millar:, external Close game between USA and Russia, feeling USA will sneak it in the shoot out

Image source, Reuters

Sochi is silenced! The USA do indeed take advantage of their numerical advantage as Joe Pavelski punishes the Russians with a clinical first-time strike. Little over 10 minutes left for the Russians to mount a comeback.

To use a boxing analogy, these two heavyweights are stalking each other around the ring as they trade big blows. But neither has been able to land a sucker punch as yet.

Russia's Vladimir Tarasenko shows his ''tekkers' as he tries to bamboozle an American opponent with some silky skills, before team-mate Alexander Radulov is told to take another enforced break - for the second time today. This sin-binning seems a tad harsh to be fair, but it gives the USA a massive chance to take control.

More from David Murdoch after Great Britain's defeat by Canada: "We will need to bin that one and move on. We have got two big games now, to get over that finish line into the semi-final and we certainly need a few more wins if we are going to do that."

Great Britain male curlers' skip David Murdoch, speaking about his side's 7-5 defeat to Canada earlier on Saturday: "This team can play on the big stage. That was the Olympic Games against Canada, it doesn't get any bigger than that. The guys didn't feel an ounce of pressure. It was a real good feeling and belief throughout the game and that was nice to see."

Across in the Bolshoy Ice Arena, the USA and Russia are back under way. The home side fail to make their third power play count in the opening two minutes of the final period as the Americans return to full strength. We have another tense 18 minutes ahead...

Image source, Getty Images

While heavyweights USA and Russia take a quick breather in their men's group game, there is also another important match in the women's tournament. And it is bad news for the partisan home crowd. Russia are a goal down to Switzerland as they begin the final period of their quarter-final in the Shayba Arena.

Amy Williams
2010 Olympic skeleton champion on BBC TV

Speaking about Olympic gold medallist Lizzy Yarnold: "She does not seem to get flustered, she does everything so controlled. She has worked so hard with the coaches learning the track and everyone has come together to enable her to go out there and just perform. She went out there and won it.

"She is the new breed of skeleton girl that is big, that is powerful, that is strong. She also has something unique within her that you just cannot teach. I will gladly give over my Olympic crown to Lizzy Yarnold."

Team GB's Zoe Gillings, who is competing in the snowboard cross, on Twitter:, external Last hour of training today before company tomorrow...

Image source, Zoe Gillings

Stuart MacLean:, external It's an interesting game of ice hockey. No signs of frustration on the Russian side yet, so looks ominous for USA.

Ollie Williams
BBC Sport at the Shayba Arena

"Russia's goal came from captain Pavel Datsyuk, assisted by defenceman Andrei Markov. They are the only two players involved in this game who were alive at the time of the 1980 "miracle on ice" (in which the US beat the USSR at the Olympics), the event around which much of the hype for this clash was based. Both were born in 1978."

If you have not had chance yet to read Ollie's feature on the 'Miracle of Ice', then now would be an opportune time before the crucial third period starts.

Brent Pope
BBC Sport ice hockey commentator

"The Russians were the better in the first 14 minutes and the Americans responded - they needed to. This is a dynamite game and the third period will be explosive."