Ollie Williams
BBC Sport at the Bolshoy Ice Dome

"End of the first period and Russia the better team. This game is being played at such a pace that it's hard to see either team sustaining this for 60 minutes, and while it's physical, it isn't unduly so.

"Alexander Semin, Evgeni Malkin and Alexander Radulov close for Russia, fewer straightforward chances for the US but they start the second period on the power play."

Now it is the Russians who make a disciplinary error with Ilya Nikulin sent packing for two minutes. But the USA cannot take advantage of their power play in the dying moments of the first period. It ends goalless, but there hasn't been a shortage of thrills and spills.

It is fast and furious stuff as the puck moves from end to end quicker than in a game of air hockey. The Russians get a little sloppy as USA break swiftly, with Patrick Kane's fizzing shot pushed out to safety.

Brent Pope
BBC Sport ice hockey commentator

Image source, Getty Images

"It is all about territory. Evgeni Malkin is a tremendous puck-carrier for Russia, and he moves forward for them with real purpose."

Almost the opener for the Russians as Yevgeni Malkin tries to steer in Alexander Popov's centre. But US stopper Jonathan Quick lives up to his name by smothering Malkin's effort to prevent the home side bagging. Even steven.

David Bruce:, external Two ice hockey powerhouses USA v Russia pretty spicy already. Winter Olympics keeps getting better.

Jacob Rawcliffe:, external It is great to watch a game like USA v Russia. So much tension.

Back over to the Ice Cube, where we can reflect more on Great Britain's defeat by Canada in the men's pool stage.

So close for David Murdoch's men as their round-robin match with Canada goes down to the last stone - but they cannot quite force the win.

Canada triumph 7-5 and move on to five points, level with Great Britain in joint third. The top four go through to the semi-finals but GB are not quite there, with two games still to play.

Ollie Williams
BBC Sport at the Bolshoy Ice Dome

Image source, AP

"Given the colours of the two nations' flags, this arena is an ocean of red, white and blue. Even the cheerleaders are decked out in blue and white and, not only do they pop out from the spectators' seats to dance on the staircases during breaks, they're in the media areas too. To my left, one of them has just narrowly avoided clocking a radio reporter (not ours) in the face with a pom-pom."

But the Russian's play does not click into place during Wheeler's absence as they fail to test American keeper Jonathan Quick. Quick is beaten seconds later by a fierce long-distance shot, but the effort cannons of the post straight into the crown jewels of the referee. Eye-watering to say the least!

As expected, no inch has been given by either side in the opening period. But United States's Blake Wheeler gets himself sent to the bin for carelessly tripping one of his Russian opponents - giving the home side, with a partisan crowd roaring them on inside the Bolshoy Ice Dome - a great opportunity to open the scoring.

I can tell you what is happening in the men's curling - and it isn't good news.

Great Britain's men LOSE to Canada in their pool game to move to a 5-2 record with two games to play.

Tardis Girl:, external I have no idea what's going on in the curling, but I'm becoming fascinated by it.

Victor An sealed Russia's first ever short track speed skating gold medal as the host nation sealed a one-two in the men's 1000m.

His compatriot Vladimir Grigorev finishes 0.074 behind to take the silver, with Sjinkie Knegt of the Netherlands making up the podium.

Image source, Getty Images

Less than five minutes on the clock and the biff has started already between the two teams. Neither Russia's Yevgeni Medvedev nor USA's Ryan Callahan take a step back as the pair exchange swinging punches like drunken blokes in a pub car park at kicking out time. Still goalless in the playing action.

Brent Pope
BBC Sport ice hockey commentator

"You get the sense that if the Russians score early, this place will pop."

Ollie Williams
BBC Sport at the Bolshoy Ice Dome

US coach Dan Bylsma: 'The atmosphere is going to pose some problem, just coming into a hostile environment. I think it's going to be unlike any we've played in front of. These fans are different to North American fans, it creates a different atmosphere'.

"The Americans are handling everything the Russians are throwing at them in the early stages. Frantic start."

Just the one stone for Canada's men curlers in the ninth end and they lead Great Britain 6-5 going into the last. David Murdoch's team, who need victory to move a step closer to the semi-finals, have the hammer and this is going to be tense.

Watch live online and on BBC Red Button.

Oliver S Warren:, external USA v Russia - what a game this is going to be.

Ollie Williams
BBC Sport at the Bolshoy Ice Dome

Image source, Getty Images

"Russian flags draped everywhere inside the Bolshoy Ice Dome - with a few stars and stripes poking out - for the biggest ice hockey clash of the Games so far.

"Today's game between Russia and the US is only a group-stage encounter and ultimately doesn't mean much, but the political and historic significance of every meeting between these two is vast. The Americans refuse to let Russia forget their defeat by the US in the 1980 "miracle on ice" - Russia, for whom hockey is a national passion, want to stamp their authority on the game on home ice."

Image source, AFP

Home success! Russia's Victor An takes the gold.