Kent Simpson
Commentator on BBC TV

Both teams are in a gold medal game in the Olympics, they have to find that other gear, regardless of how tired they are.

It's that simple.

Not much fluency to this third period yet. Maybe both sides are goosed already.

Kent Simpson
Commentator on BBC TV

It's been an incredible start to this final period from Germany. Nothing surprises you anymore. They've come out and pushed the pace.

They're 20 minutes away from possibly making their wildest dreams come true.

Image source, EPA

Germany hare out of the traps in this third period, pinning the OAR back.

But the danger is the Russians can break quickly, perfectly illustrated as Mikhail Grigorenko forces German stopper Danny Aus Den Birken into action on the counter.

A warning sign there.

Here we go then: we're 20 minutes away from finding out who is going to win the penultimate medal of 2018 Pyeongchang.

Or 20 minutes + sudden-death overtime.

Or 20 minutes + 20 minutes of overtime + a penalty shoot-out....

Oh forget it. Let's just settle down and enjoy however it is going to unfold.

Image source, Getty Images

It's not long until the final event of the 2018 Winter Olympics gets under way.

It comes in cross-country skiing with the women’s 30km mass start classic and one of the favourites, Charlotte Kalla (above), could make a bit of history if she wins gold today.

Having won the women's skiathon way back on the first Saturday of these Games, she will become the first person to win both the first and last gold medals contested at an Olympic Games if she is successful.

There'll be plenty of competition though including from Norway's Marit Bjorgen who became the most successful female Winter Olympian earlier in the Games.

The event gets under way at around 06:15 GMT.

Much better from the Germans in a second period where they managed to match the Russians more than they did in the first. The OAR edged the shot count 9-8, but only the harshest critic would say Germany don't deserve that equaliser.

Image source, EPA

Phew, let's have a breather. After 40 minutes of cut and thrust, the Germans are still holding the overwhelming favourites.

No wonder the German fans in the crowd are looking happy. Particularly the woman waving a toy bratwurst sausage around in the air. Careful.

Kent Simpson
Commentator on BBC TV

Germany have played an unbelievable system. They've taken away the OAR's creativity, their speed, size and strength. They just haven't allowed the OAR players to do anything!

Image source, Getty Images

Now Germany threaten as we enter the final two minutes of the second period. The underdogs go close to snatching the lead, but then need keeper Danny aus den Birken to come to the rescue at the other end.

Chance for the OAR! Kirill Kaprizov glides into space on the left and crosses to the waiting Vyacheslav Voinov... surely... no. The puck is played into Voinov's feet and he can't dig it out cleanly, flashing his effort wide of the right-hand post.

Seth Bennett
Commentator on BBC TV

Germany have been really strong since their goal. They must be aware though for the rest of this period they face a two-on-one.

Their pressure is outstanding.

Image source, Getty Images

That's the best shift we've seen from the Germans for a while. Russian keeper Koshechkin makes partial amends for his earlier error with another good save.

Into the final five of the second period. Germany on the attack...

Here's the Germans hauled themselves back level...

(Family and friends of Russian keeper Vasili Koshechkin might not want to watch.)

The OAR are creaking a bit now. Germany smell blood as they press their opponents back - and then it is an apt description as it turns out.

That's because German defenceman Daryl Boyle has blood tricking down his nose after being whacked in the mush by team-mate Christian Erhoff's stick.

Ilya Kablukov is being blamed for it, however, and faces four minutes in the bin. The Russians are furious, rightly so, and eventually the decision is reversed.

Seth Bennett
Commentator on BBC TV

Maybe now, that gives Germany a chance. Playing in their first Olympic final, they've levelled things up at the midpoint.

Could they do something special again?

That will haunt OAR if they don't win gold.

Kent Simpson
Commentator on BBC TV

This is a huge breakdown from OAR. We've seen that a few times over the course of the tournament.

Vasili Koshechkin has let in a couple of tricky goals and that one was the worst of all!

I've no idea why this would be ruled out. It's simply an error from Kosheckin. Surely?

The video ref has had a good look at the incident, normal time, slow mo, from all sorts of angles. They've made a decision....

"After a video review, there is no kicking action. It is a good goal," the ref informs us.

All square!

Oh hello! Germany are level. Felix Schutz's shot from an acute angle on the right shouldn't beat Russian keeper Vasili Koshechkin - but it does.

The puck appears to hit Kosheckin's upper thigh, flick off his foot and dribble in.

Hang on... we go to the video referee because there is a "possible kicking action".