Image source, AFP

We are halfway through the field now, with Norway's Mari Hemmer leading the way. But we are still waiting for the big guns to take to the ice.

The Netherlands' Ireen Wust is going for her third gold medal of the Games having already won 3,000m gold and 1500m silver in Sochi. Another victory would make her the first Dutch athlete to win four Winter Olympic golds.

There was disappointment for Britain in the cross-country skiing earlier today when Andrew Young and Andrew Musgrave failed to finish the men's team sprint. Young has tachycardia, an unusually fast heartbeat which occurs no more than twice a season, and had to pull out as he started his second leg.

"Every now and then it happens and you have to stop," said Young. "I don't really like using it as an excuse. It is not an excuse, it happens. It was just at the start of my second leg and when it happens the advice is just to stop."

Seth Bennett
BBC Sport ice hockey commentator

"On paper, Russia have the stronger players, but on the ice right now, the players are not performing at their optimum level."

Image source, Reuters

And there are some grimaces etched across Russians faces as they skate off the ice at the end of the second period. They have 20 minutes left to save their Olympic dream and set up a semi-final against Sweden.

Brent Pope
BBC Sport ice hockey commentator

"The Finnish are producing a masterclass. Three tiny waves of attacks have been won and done by the Russians. They have no sustained control and are looking disjointed. There are not working as a team, it is all individuals."

But, after another Alexander Syomin shot is clawed to safety, some sloppy play from the Russians kills their hopes of scoring a second.

Image source, AFP

Russia are rallying in the second period with the home crowd desperately urging their boys to find a break through. They almost do just that as it takes a tremendous sprawling save by the Finnish goalkeeper to deny Alexander Syomin. Now they have a powerplay, remember they scored from one in the first period, to get back into the game.

Ukrainian athletes, who are competing today in alpine skiing, snowboard and biathlon, will not be allowed to wear black armbands during competition in tribute to the 26 people who have died in Kiev.

The IOC rejected the request on the same grounds as those put forward by Canada (stickers in memory of freestyle skier Sarah Burke who died in a training accident) and Norway (black armbands in tribute to the brother of an athlete who died on the eve of the Games).

In both those cases the governing body felt it would be inappropriate, but said it would help with organising other forms of remembrance away from the competitive sport.

Little over 850 miles north of Sochi, there have been violent scenes in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev, where 26 people have died after battles between anti-government protestors and police.

Sergey Bubka, the Ukrainian pole vault great and head of his country's Olympic committee, has called for peace and says he wants to "bring Olympic Truce" to his country.

"Our athletes are competing hard in Sochi, but peacefully and with honour. Violence has no place in the world," tweets Bubka,, external who won six World Championships and one Olympics in his athletics career.

Oh dear, more bad news for Russia. Finland open up a two-goal advantage as they use a powerplay to perfection. Russia's Alexei Yemelin is penalised for tripping and, while his timeout is served by NHL superstar Alexander Ovechkin, Finland's Mikael Granlund slots in the third. You can hear a pin drop inside the Bolshoy Ice Arena.

Image source, Reuters

Here's a piece of imagery which will blow your mind. This composite photo shows Austria's Marcel Hirscher clearing a gate during the second run of the men's alpine skiing giant slalom event. Simply stunning. Unfortunately, Hirscher just missed out on a medal, coming fourth. But at least he can stick a framed photo of this on his mantelpiece.

Watch Ted Ligety of the United States win gold

Anna Thompson
BBC Sport in Sochi

"Sports minister Helen Grant and IOC vice-president Sir Craig Reedie watched the women's curling semi-final and left the arena with the thousands of others who saw Canada and Sweden advance to the finals.

"We've got a bit of a break now as the ice is prepared for the second semi-final featuring Great Britain's men against Sweden. Can David Murdoch's team go one better than the women and get into the gold medal game?"

Have you got to admire or question these crazy characters who turn up to Olympic events like it is a 40th birthday fancy dress party in your local village hall? I'm not sure. There are plenty of eye-catching outfits in the Bolshoy Ice Arena, including the woman dressed as some medieval queen. Anyway...we're back under way in the second period as Russia chase the game against Finland.

Anna Thompson
BBC Sport in Sochi

"A clearly emotional Anna Sloan talks to the BBC after the 6-4 defeat by Canada.

'We played a great last end but they played a great last shot,' she said. 'We're going to come back tomorrow and give our all as we don't want to go home empty handed'."

You think of the Netherlands and you think of windmills, cheese, orange and, er, speed skating? If you didn't before then you should now. The Dutch are simply dominant in this fast and furious event, grabbing 19 of the 27 medals already decided in Sochi. In about 10 minutes, Ireen Wust is aiming to continue the trend in the women's 5,000m.

Brent Pope
BBC Sport ice hockey commentator

"That is an impressive Finnish 20 minutes. They know how to find cracks in this game."

Seth Bennett
BBC Sport ice hockey commentator

"The Finns are 2-1 up and have been working very hard, they are in the ascendancy. The Russians led but their opponents showed cool and clinical finishing."

Image source, Getty Images

Plenty of Russian flags were waving high and proud earlier. Now the home fans have rolled them up and quietly stuffed them under their seats. Russia hold off another wave of Finnish attacks, before the hooter goes to the relief of the host nation. An impressive opening 20 minutes by Finland, who are aiming to book a semi-final spot against Sweden.

The Bolshoy Ice Arena is silenced again as Finland snatch the lead in the closing moments of the first period. Teemu Selanne, the 43-year-old known as the "Finnish Flash" slides in from close range. That was not in the script...

But our focus at the moment is at the Bolshoy Ice Dome, where Finland and Russia are having a right old ding-dong in their men's quarter-final match. Nothing is separating the pair as we approach the end of the first period.