All got a little bitty as we approach the halfway mark of the second period. We have a time out, a couple of penalties and then the prospect of a tear-up between Germany's Yannic Seidenberg and Russian rival Kirill Kaprizov.

Not much goalmouth action to report.

Image source, Getty Images

Kent Simpson
Commentator on BBC TV

One thing about this OAR team that makes them different to Russians in Olympics past is that they have great chemistry - 15 of them play for the same professional team in St Petersburg. Chemistry is so important.

The Germans finally hit an intended target, clattering Vladislav Gavrikov with a shoulder. Naughty. Somehow they avoid giving away a penalty, but Gavrikov almost makes them pay with a shot that German keeper Danny Aus Den Birken blocks.

Ooooft! Germany start dishing out the big hits as they aim to fight back into this match... unfortunately for them they're boshing each other.

Marcus Kink looks like he's just taken a right hand from Anthony Joshua after being clattered by the shoulder of one of his team-mates - accidentally of course.

Someone bring the smelling salts.

Image source, Getty Images

Kent Simpson
Commentator on BBC TV

It's going to be very interesting to see how the Germans respond at the start of this period.

For 99.9% of the first they were fabulous, they played their game plan to perfection.

They need to get a few more shots in.

More beat-heavy electronic music greets the arrival of the players for the second of three 20-minute periods. It's the sort of stuff you're likely to hear in Magaluf. And that's not a positive review.

Germany start in the groove as Frank Mauer whacks goalwards, only for giant Russian keeper Vasili Koshechkin to beat his effort clear.

And here's the moment they broke through...

Although Germany produced a dogged defensive display in the opening 20 minutes, you can't argue the Russians are worthy of their narrow lead.

They pumped the puck at goal 12 times, double the amount of attempts by their opponents.

Kent Simpson
Commentator on BBC TV

You could see that coming. Germany had two chances to clear the puck out of their zone and OAR jumped on to it.

When Vyacheslav Voinov is on main street, he is not going to miss.

This is a tough blow for Germany.

Breakthrough! The Russians nick the lead through Vyacheslav Voinov - with only 0.5 of a second left before the end of the first period.

How much of a psychological blow will that be for the Germans?

Seth Bennett
Commentator on BBC TV

It's been a tight and tense first period. OAR have attacked and Germany have stood tall.

There have been some really good saves from Aus Den Birken.

Image source, EPA

Half a chance for Germany as David Wolf almost squeezes in from a tight angle, but then they're almost caught on the hop. The play swings quickly up the other end, the Russians forcing German keeper Danny Aus Den Birken into a smart block with his right boot.

Aus Den Birken has been the most employed man on the ice - 10 shots, 10 saves. I hope he's on a saves bonus.

Kent Simpson
Commentator on BBC TV

This OAR team have established a bit of control but Germany are doing a great job positionally.

They're taking the pucks away and retreating back. This is right in their game plan, slowing it down a little bit.

Somehow - and I'm not sure they know how - Germany survive the two-minute powerplay. Into the final five minutes of the first period...

The Russians press for the opener with their numerical advantage, backed by their vociferous fans in the half-full Gangneung Hockey Centre.

Germany hang on for dear life, sitting back and trying to stay compact. But they twice need goal-tender Danny Aus Den Birken to come to the rescue with saves.

Image source, EPA

Kent Simpson
Commentator on BBC TV

Once the OAR get the puck, they're very good at shielding it with their body.

Germany have had an amazing start, but they cannot afford to take undisciplined penalties.

Now the Germans need to display all their battling qualities over the next two minutes. They're shorthanded after Christian Erhoff is penalised for hooking.

Germany have been the great survivors in this tournament, scrapping their way through to the gold-medal match. The Greece of the Euro 2004 football tournament some might say.

The only game they won in the group stage was in overtime against Norway.

In the play-offs they beat Switzerland – also in overtime – that made it four games without a win in regulation time win.

In the quarter-finals they got revenge on group winners Sweden 4-3 (regulation time) and in the semis beat Canada 4-3 (regulation) – two of the top ranked sides in the tournament and the last two sides to win the Olympic tournament.

If you ignore scoring in overtime, Germany are still -2 in terms of goal difference so could win the Olympic title with a negative goal difference (in regulation).

The Russians are just edging the first half of the opening period, leading 4-3 in the shots column.

I reckon it's about 26-26 in the amount of bruises given. Brutal sport this.

Image source, Getty Images

A quarter of the way into the first period and Germany build up their first real bit of sustained pressure. Christian Ehrhoff has a pop from the left, keeper Vasili Koshechkin sticks out a big left paw to block.

But the Russians hold firm and then spring forward on the counter. Nikita Gusev picks out the run of Kirill Kaprizov without even looking up, but Kaprizov can't convert as Danny Aus Den Birken stands up to block.